The project to develop the Dhidhdhoo Airport in Haa Alif atoll, has been contracted.

The project was contracted to the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) on Friday.

The project was contracted by the Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure.

The agreement was signed by CEO Abdulla Ziyad on behalf of MTCC and Minister of State for Construction and Infrastructure Ismail Hameed on behalf of the government, during the ceremony held on Friday.

Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed attended the ceremony as well.

The project entails the acquisition of land for the development of the airport, as well as the coastal protection efforts, in the reclaimed area.

A total of 71.8 hectares of land will be reclaimed as part of the project.

Details of the time frame allocated for the project, have not been disclosed by the ministry.

Under the scope of the project, MTCC will be required to construct a runway measuring 1,500 meters and an asphalt area stretching up to 60,939 square meters.

Further, a perimeter fence measuring 4,550 meters, a passenger terminal building, a fire building and an administrative office building will be constructed as well.

The project also entails the installation of a fire pond and an airfield lighting system.

The Dhidhdhoo Airport development project is valued at MVR 257.21 million.

This comes at a time MTCC has also been contracted to develop the airports in Bilehfahi island of Shaviyani atoll and Vilufushi island of Thaa atoll.

Further, work linked to the airport development projects in Guraidhoo island of Thaa atoll, Komandoo island of Shaviyani atoll and Milandhoo island of Shaviyani atoll were also contracted to MTCC.