President: Technical works in progress on underwater tunnel, but priority is Rasmale’ reclamation

Housing Minister Dr Abdullah Muthalib (L) accompanies President Dr Mohamed Muizzu (R) as he assess progress of Rasmale' reclamation. (Photo/President's Office)

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to urban development initiatives, specifically regarding the connectivity between Male' and the reclaimed land at Rasmale'. During a recent briefing, the President clarified that while technical assessments for a proposed underwater tunnel continue, the immediate strategic priority remains the completion of land reclamation works. This approach aims to secure essential land for housing distribution, distinguishing his administration's policy from previous practices by emphasizing the readiness of land before allocation. The project represents a significant portion of the national transport infrastructure budget, reflecting the government's ambitious vision for urban connectivity and housing solutions.

President Muizzu confirmed that technical preparations for the Male'-Rasmale' underwater tunnel are currently underway.
The primary focus for the administration is the completion of land reclamation in Rasmale' by the end of April.
The project has successfully reclaimed approximately 500 hectares of land to date.
Government policy prioritizes allocating housing on land that has already been fully reclaimed.
Budgetary allocations for the Thilamale' Bridge and the tunnel amount to MVR 799 million for 2026.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu says that technical works are in progress on a planned underwater tunnel to link Rasmale’ with Male’, but that the priority of the administration is to complete land reclamation in Rasmale’.

President Muizzu was asked about the progress on the underwater tunnel project during a press briefing Monday morning.

Responding to these questions, President Muizzu said that technical works related to the tunnel are being carried out. But he stressed that the administration’s current focus is on completing land reclamation works in Rasmale’ by the end of April.

He said that the contractor has already reclaimed closed to 500 hectors of land.

“We are prioritizing land reclamation. Our focus is on that and related planning and infrastructure works,” he said.

President Muizzu said that unlike the previous administration, his administration wishes to issue housing from land that is already reclaimed.

The 2026 budget has an allocation of MVR 799 million for construction of the Thilamale’ Bridge and the Male’-Rasmale’ tunnel – making for one-third of the MVR 2.4 billion budgeted for transport infrastructure development projects.

President Muizzu had announced his vision for a transparent underwater tunnel linking Male’ and Rasmale’ back in January 2024. When questioned about this, Housing Minister Dr. Abdulla Muthalib said that such technology does not currently exist, but the government will pursue the vision.