Completing the projects started under the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development will cost an estimated MVR 58.83 billion, Minister Dr Abdulla Muththalib has told parliament.
The figure, MVR 58,831,473,267, or about USD 3.8 billion, was given in a written answer to Hulhumalé South MP Dr Ahmed Shamheed. He had asked how much it would take to finish the ministry's projects, and how much the 2026 budget had set aside to continue them.
No project-by-project allocation
The minister said the 2026 budget is programme-based, so it does not set a fixed amount for any individual project.
Instead, the Ministry of Finance releases money to projects in line with their implementation plans, he said.
Five airports
In a second written answer to the same MP, the minister said work is under way on five airport development projects across the country, and that they are not expected to need more money than estimated.
The airport project at L. Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo has yet to be contracted, he said, and about MVR 600 million has been included in the budget for it.