Kulhudhuffushi residents “bury” stalled housing project commenced ahead of council election

Prompted by the stalled physical works 2,000 housing unit project in HDh. Kulhudhuffushi, for which groundbreaking was held in conjunction with the recent local council election, residents of the city have declared the project "dead" and staged a symbolic "burial" in protest.

The development of 2,000 housing units in Kulhudhuffushi is an electoral pledge of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

The project was initially contracted to Housing Development Corporation (HDC) in August 2025. However, after the corporation failed to make meaningful progress, the project was subsequently awarded to an Indian company, Team One India Private Limited.

The groundbreaking for the housing units was held on April 1st.

Commenting on the project recently, President Muizzu said the Finance Ministry had facilitated the necessary arrangements for physical work to commence no later than December this year.

Despite the assurances, many residents argue the current administration has failed to undertake any sincere efforts to implement the project, with some questioning the government’s capacity to deliver on its commitment. Several residents have characterized the housing initiative as a "trap" designed to secure electoral support.

Public frustration has been building over time, culminating this morning when residents discovered a symbolic grave alongside a headstone at the site where the project’s foundation stone had been placed.

Speaking with Sun regarding the incident, Kulhudhuffushi Deputy Mayor Ahmed Abdulla attributed the symbolic grave to mounting frustration among residents. He explained that it represented a form of protest by individuals dissatisfied with the lack of progress on a project the government had repeatedly promised to complete swiftly.

"The grave was built last night by individuals who are angry that the housing project is not moving forward. This was not something done with the knowledge of the Council," he said.

To date, no physical work has been observed at the project site.