The Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has awarded the Gulhifalhu Reclamation Project to Boskalis Westminster Contracting Limited for the reclamation of approximately 18 million m³ of sand to reclaim an area of 160 hectares on the Gulhifalhu lagoon.
The Contractor is in the process of mobilising the equipment needed to start the project works. The baseline environmental monitoring has started early February, as well as on site preparations. Prior to the commencement of dredging & reclamation works, a containment bund will be constructed at the southern edge of the lagoon to close off the reclamation site and to contain the sediment inside the lagoon. Environmental mitigation measures for the bund construction itself involve the following:
- Reuse of reclaimed sediments from the northern side of the previously reclaimed land with dry earth moving equipment, and placement of wet material.
- Installation of a silt screen, which will be placed along the boundary of the bund and will be moved along with the bund construction works.
- Covering the bund with geotextile; and
- Continuous monitoring of turbidity and sedimentation and adapting or sand placement works when required.
The bund construction works will take approximately 2 months. Upon completion the dredging and reclamation activities can begin. The detailed methodology of the bund construction works can be found in the Environmental Mitigation section as well as other relevant information regarding this project.
