HULHULE-MALE’ BRIDGE PROJECT

EIA for the proposed Hulhule-Male’ Bridge Project
landing area, increased cost of airport transfer if the ferry services are ceased; impacts of shading
from bridge on marine ecology; and, potential marine accidents with the bridge piers.
The project mainly has positive socio-economic benefits, including increased direct and indirect
job opportunities, growth of Hulhumale’ as an extension of Male’, ease of transport, tourism
growth in Hulhumale’ and availability of better housing options.
A number of mitigation measures are proposed for the most significant impacts from the project.
These include reuse of dreg removed from the drilling activities for backfilling in Thilafushi,
proper management of sewage, relocating trees within the project foot print, limiting working
hours around bring landing site in Male’, planned rerouting of traffic, proper management and
disposal of drilling fluids, installing anti-collision measures for marine traffic, measure to
prevent marine and ground water pollution, measures to prevent sedimentation during dredging
and reclamation, and measures to minimise impacts on social activities within the project foot
print.
Alternatives options were evaluated for the activities that are identified to have significant
impacts on or from the project. The “no project” option was found to be viable for this project
based on economic and social grounds as there are numerous other national level social and
economic priorities. However, the “no project” option was found to be not viable in political
terms as the proposed bridge is a key election promise of the present Government and the
negotiations with the Chinese Government is far advanced. Additional alternatives evaluated
include the choice of bridge location, bridge design scheme, foundation designs, dredging
options, work site locations and scheduling. Among these, given the high impact on recreational
activities in Adi park area, an alternative site with the same land area as the original plan is
recommended within Adi Park area. Alternative dredging sites may have to be considered in a
future addendum to this report.
Stakeholders covering relevant government agencies, civil society and economic entities were
consulted and their concerns are included in the report and recommended for the eventual
implementation. In addition, a public opinion survey covering 847 respondents was conducted at
the ferry terminal and within Male’. In general, there was an overwhelming positive response
towards the project. The concerns of the Government agencies were similar focusing on bridge
design parameters (such as bridge width, elevation, appearance and location), functionality (eg.
how it fits within the broader master plan and traffic flow requirements), jurisdictional issues,
and impacts on Male’ traffic. Some serious specific concerns were raised by some economic
entities such as the communications service providers who will incur a significant cost to
relocate their main manhole connecting the submarine fibre optic cables which support most of
the communications of Male’. The manhole is located right below the bridge landing area and
any shifting will involve significant disruption to communications in Maldives, specifically
Prepared by: CDE Consulting & China Shipping Environment Technology
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