HULHULE-MALE’ BRIDGE PROJECT

EIA for the proposed Hulhule-Male’ Bridge Project
strong. The ecological condition of the reef around the proposed site is poor. However,
there is a prominent dive site – the Maldives Victory - within close proximity to the
site. The coastal areas around both Hulhule and Male’ island is protected using shore
protection measures and therefore impacts on coastal environment and erosion is nonexistent.
The proposed bridge passes over Raalhugandu, a prominent surfing spot in
Male’. Gaadhoo Koa is at present the main shipping lane for Male’ port but will have to
be closed down permanently. The proposed worksites at Hulhumale’ and Hulhule are
barren land which were recently reclaimed. The sites on Male’ will occupy land
presently used for recreation. Traffic flow at the proposed site is very high and road
closure is imminent. Traffic will have to be diverted. The proposed landing area on the
southern tip of Hulhumale’ will interfere with flight path and therefore will have the
work times restricted.
− The negative physical impacts during the construction stage of this project are limited
to the immediate vicinity of the project site and work sites. These include impacts on
groundwater quality due to potential contamination; impacts on marine water quality
due to drilling, reclamation, dredging, accidental oil or chemical spills, sewage, waste
dumping and anchoring; vegetation loss on Male’ site, impacts on marine ecology due
to drilling, dredging, reclamation, shore protection, anchoring, self-lifting platform
spuds; potential impacts on reef slope geology due to vibrations and drilling;
hydrodynamic changes in relation to tidal flow and wave height changes; and noise,
dust and vibration impacts around Male’ landing site and Hulhumale’ work sites. Socio
economic negative impacts include significant impacts on marine traffic which would
be blocked off for the entire construction period; increased of shipping; impacts on the
surfing activities during construction; impacts on recreational activities at Adi Park;
land traffic disruption; disruptions to airport activities; social impacts associated with a
having large foreign workforce and impacts on visual amenity.
− Negative impacts during operation stage include loss of livelihood for ferry operators;
increased accidents due to speeding, traffic congestion in Male’ due presence of more
vehicles arriving from Hulhumale’; rapid increase in traffic in Hulhumale’ which at
present enjoys limited traffic; potential effects on surfing activities; parking challenges
at airport, effects of surface runoff on marine water quality due to contaminants on the
road surface; noise impacts around Male’ 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.
− Stakeholders covering relevant government agencies, civil society and economic
entities were consulted and their concerns are included in the report and recommended
Prepared by: CDE Consulting & China Shipping Environment Technology
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