Two newly installed elevators at Hiyaa Flat 2 were officially inaugurated this week, marking the first phase of a large-scale project aimed at improving accessibility across the Hiyaa housing complex in Hulhumalé.
The initiative, led by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), is part of the Government’s broader efforts to address long-standing mobility concerns raised by residents. Under the project, a total of 32 lifts will be installed in 16 residential towers, with each building set to receive two elevators.
The contractor overseeing the installations confirmed that each lift is designed to carry up to 16 passengers and is spacious enough to accommodate a stretcher—an important feature for medical emergencies. The elevators also include accessibility-friendly features such as engraved floor numbers to assist visually impaired users and operate at a speed of two metres per minute.
Speaking at the launch, HDC’s public relations manager said the new lifts are a significant step toward making daily life easier for Hiyaa flat residents, especially the elderly and those with disabilities. The lifts at Hiyaa Flat 2 will be open for public use starting 12 May, with installation works ongoing across additional towers.
The project was initiated under the directive of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who has prioritised addressing infrastructure and quality-of-life issues within state-built housing projects. HDC noted that the installation timeline is moving swiftly, and more towers will be equipped with lifts in the coming months.
For many residents of the densely populated Hiyaa flats, where upper-floor access has long been a challenge, the arrival of these lifts comes as a much-needed improvement in everyday living conditions.
