President Mohamed Muizzu has announced that land reclamation at Uthuru Thilafalhu will commence once dredging operations at Giraavarufalhu are completed, outlining an ambitious multi-sector development plan for the area.
Speaking at a press conference at the President’s Office, the President described Uthuru Thilafalhu as a future mixed-use zone designed to accommodate residential, industrial, agricultural and social development projects.
A central pillar of the project is the creation of a 200-hectare Agriculture Economic Zone aimed at strengthening food security and reducing import dependency.
According to the President, the first phase will prioritise greenhouse cultivation of imported plant varieties to accelerate production. The second phase will expand into staple crops such as bulbs and tubers — including onions and potatoes — alongside other commonly consumed food items.
The broader agricultural expansion will also include the establishment of a poultry farm and chicken hatchery. The facility is expected to be scaled to meet national demand, with the long-term objective of eliminating egg imports.
Among the most notable components of the Uthuru Thilafalhu plan is the development of “Hope Island,” a dedicated juvenile rehabilitation centre.
The Government intends to reclaim 15 hectares of land to accommodate a facility capable of housing up to 700 minors. The centre is designed to provide correctional services, rehabilitation programmes and treatment support for children deemed vulnerable to criminal environments.
Officials say the initiative reflects a preventative social policy approach, combining infrastructure development with intervention-based rehabilitation.
The President also highlighted the deployment of large dredging vessels to expedite reclamation projects across the country.
He confirmed that reclamation for Hulhumalé Phase III has already been completed. Meanwhile, dredging at Rasmale’ is progressing rapidly, and more than 15 hectares have been reclaimed at Giraavarufalhu so far.
Once work at Giraavarufalhu concludes, resources will shift toward Uthuru Thilafalhu, forming part of a broader strategy to expand land availability in support of housing, industry, agriculture and social infrastructure.
The initiative signals the administration’s continued reliance on large-scale land reclamation as a cornerstone of its economic and development agenda.
