Minister of National Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam has stated that the cost of the Veymandoo-Kinbidhoo Causeway Project has been reduced and the project will commence during the current presidential term.
Responding to questions at the Parliament, Minister Aslam said that the project was delayed due to the high cost and that changes have been made to the design to decrease the value of the USD32 million project by 40%. He detailed that the new design consists of building causeway sections on smaller reclaimed islands between Veymandoo, Elaa, and Kinbidhoo.
Additionally, Minister Aslam said that all developmental projects are conducted in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner and that the government will not violate the rules and regulations to fulfill its pledges. As such, he said that a contractor will be chosen for the Veymandoo-Kinbidhoo Causeway Project after going through the tender process.
The project to link Veymandoo and Kinbidhoo in Thaa Atoll with a 4.6km causeway aims to establish convenient means of transport between the two islands, which have a combined population of over 2,700. Elaa is an uninhabited island located between Veymandoo and Kinbidhoo.