Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has stated that it aims to complete the development of the airport in Alifushi, Raa Atoll, in one year.
Speaking to PSM News, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Adam Azim noted the challenges in finishing the land dredging work required for the Alifushi Airport Development Project and said that additional machinery will be transferred to the island to speed up the project.
The airport is being developed by dredging a large portion of the lagoon in Alifushi. MTCC began land dredging for the project in August. The land is being dredged in Alifushi for the development of the airport as well as to reclaim land for the residents.
The project was awarded to MTCC by the Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure in late 2021. As per the contract, the state-owned company must complete the project within two years. It is the first time a state-owned company has been awarded such a large-scope project.
The scope of the project involves reclamation operations of 50.5 hectares, construction of a 2,871m revetment, a 480m groyne, as well as the construction of a 1,500m runway, apron, taxiway, and service roads, terminal building, fire building, installation of firefighting equipment and a 655m security fence. It also includes coastal protection of the airport development area. The project was contracted to be completed within two years.
Alifushi Airport will be the second airport to be developed in Raa Atoll.