A total of 716 hectares has been reclaimed under the government’s Rasmalé project, making it the largest island in the Maldives by land area, according to Housing Ministry State Minister Mohamed Nashid.
Nashid said reclamation is continuing steadily, with 716 hectares completed out of the planned 1,150 hectares. Rasmalé now exceeds L. Gan’s land area by 107 hectares.
The government says the completed project is expected to provide housing for around 65,000 people and address long-term housing challenges. The development covers 11 designated sites, with 1,009 hectares targeted for reclamation.
The update comes amid opposition claims that the project has stalled. Rasmalé was officially launched by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in December 2023, with the initial target of completing reclamation within eight months.
The project has also been linked to the government’s proposed underwater connection between Rasmalé and Malé. However, officials have acknowledged that the technology required for the proposed tunnel is not currently available, while technical work on the concept continues.
