Planning Minister Mohamed Aslam has stated that the government should consider building 'floating islands' on the lagoons of islands instead of reclaiming islands for housing purposes.
Minister Aslam was asked regarding the Thimarafushi road development project, and the construction of a causeway linking Kinbidhoo and Veymandoo island during Tuesday's Parliament sitting.
In his response, the planning minister revealed that the design of the Kinbidhoo-Veymandoo causeway was already complete, and the design concept had been handed over to the government. However, the design was noted to have several negative environmental impacts, therefore, a new design has to be made once again, said the minister.
Aslam added that it is better to build a waterway that rests on pillars or on top of steel, instead of constructing a causeway. While there are options that can get the job done without having a negative environmental impact, such a project could cost almost MVR 700 million, said the minister. The budget allocated for the past two years was around MVR 2 million, he noted.
The minister further highlighted issues that may arise due to reclaiming land from island lagoons. He noted the need for an alternative approach, and said that establishing floating islands instead of reclaiming land was a better option.
When asked to detail his proposition by Speaker Mohamed Nasheed, Aslam said a walkway will be built across the lagoons between islands that rests on steel or pillars. Homes will be leased in a similar style as a water village from the path, and the government would arrange water and sewerage services, said Aslam.
Although such a concept is not feasible in all islands, the concept can be adopted for islands with a large lagoon, said Aslam. The cost and challenges of such concepts must be studied, and the vision for the country's development must be changed accordingly, said Aslam.
"We have to change our thinking. We must consider an oceanic or over-water living concept. I will be meeting the people of the two islands [Veymandoo and Kinbidhoo] next week. I believe they will accept it if a better option is explained to them," said Aslam.
Nasheed approved of Aslam's proposition, and humorously said the citizens and MPs must prepare for an 'over-water lifestyle'.
