Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has confirmed that a total of 15 hector land area would be reclaimed under the airport development project, including the biodiversity rich mangrove at the north end of the island.
MTCC made the statement amid serious tension and criticism from several islanders and environmentalists all favoring the protection of the large ecosystem.
Meanwhile at around 15:00hrs on Wednesday, the company's gigantic hopper suction dredger "Mahaa Jarraafu" has ported at Kulhudhuffushi and will commence its work on early November.
Chief Executive Officer of MTCC, Ibrahim Ziyath who is currently at Kulhudhuffushi said that while the land reclamation work has not started the preliminary works are already underway. The company had brought in the shore protection machinery a few days back along with several pipes used for the reclamation process.
"All the surveys required prior to land reclamation has been completed and assessed, what remains are a few permission which we expect will be finalized sometime tomorrow," Ziyath said.
According to the head honcho of MTCC, an area of 9 hector from the pond and another 6 hector from the shoreline across the pond, marking a total of 15 hector of area reclaimed under the process.
He also highlighted the challenges in reclaiming the mangrove that is not naturally attached to the sea, and added that the entire project of reclaiming land and shore protection would incur a duration of 180 days.
Post land reclamation of Kulhudhuffushi, MTCC's Mahaa Jarraafu will travel to neighboring Shaviyani atoll Funadhoo to reclaim a 21 hector land area for airport development.
The 92.95 meter hopper suction dredger boasts a 16.30 meter in width, and the vessel is capable of dredging sand from 50 meter below sea level. Mahaa Jarraafu is built to sustain a total of 3,700 cubic meter.
