Bandaarikoshi barracks in Malé to be rebuilt as flats for soldiers and police

The Ministry of Defence and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) are preparing to redevelop the Bandaarikoshi barracks area in Malé into apartments for soldiers, police officers and their families, the MNDF said on 27 October.

The project covers Bandaarikoshi 1 and 2, where soldiers and police officers are currently given temporary housing. The aim is to build enough apartments to house as many serving soldiers and police officers as possible during their time in service, the MNDF said.

Built in phases

Because the site has to be cleared before construction, the project will be carried out in phases to keep disruption for current residents as low as possible. Bandaarikoshi 1 will be developed first, and the ministry and the MNDF are now making preparations for that phase.

Before residents leave the temporary apartments in Bandaarikoshi 1, the MNDF said it is briefing them on the plans, listening to their concerns and working on solutions. Under the plan, people now living in Bandaarikoshi 1 will move into the new apartments once they are built.

When the project is complete, many more soldiers and police officers will have access to housing in addition to the current residents, the MNDF said. It said the number of personnel serving in the force has grown many times over, and housing applications have risen with it.

President's pledge

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced the housing project at the official ceremony marking the MNDF's 134th anniversary at Kalhuthuh'kalaa Koshi on 9 May. He said housing is a fundamental right of every Maldivian, including soldiers.

In his speech, the president said Bandaarikoshi had been left undeveloped for decades, with every government talking about it but no change. "I have decided to change that," he said, adding that the area was underused and its standard was low.

Dr Muizzu said the government hoped to build a modern housing project covering the whole Bandaarikoshi area, with work reaching a practical stage within eight months. He also pledged to raise the number of soldiers who receive housing through government schemes.

The MNDF said the president's goal is for soldiers to deliver services at the level of well-equipped armed forces in developed countries by 2040. No cost, contractor or number of units has been announced.