Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has revealed construction of the runway of Maavaarulu Airport under development in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll will be completed this month. A runway of 1,200 metres is constructed as part of the Maavaarulu Airport development project.
The project to develop a domestic airport in Maavarulu was handed over to a contractor in 2011. However, the contractor and government cancelled the agreement as the project was not initiated. The government then contracted the project to Maldives Transport and Contracting and Company (MTCC) mid last year. The state-owned company was contracted to construct the runway, taxiway and apron of the airport at a cost of USD 3.7 million.
The transport ministry said the construction of the runway is now underway and will be completed by the end of the month. Once the runway is completed, construction of the terminal building and other necessary buildings will begin, noted transport ministry.
The government has revealed plans to bring five airports into operation this year.