Housing Development Corporation (HDC) announced it will allocate plots from Hulhumale’ for scrap dealers.
HDC said that its decision to designate specific areas from Hulhumale’ scrap dealers was made after observing a surge in such businesses. Scrap dealer businesses started to surge after a rise in discarded iron and articles of iron.
Discarded iron and similar articles began increasing in quantity owing to the increment in infrastructural development projects in the Maldives. Following the conclusion of any such project, contractors often discard large quantities of damaged iron and other articles that are no longer applicable to their original purpose.
Most of the scrap dealers operating in Hulhumale’ have been doing so without acquiring permission to use the roads and streets. HDC decided to allocate plot to reduce illegal use of streets or roads by scrap dealers.
Additionally, HDC aims to reduce criminal conduct by providing areas for scrap dealing only for registered businesses. The corporation said that due to the unmonitored nature of the recently popular business area, several illegal companies have started to operate in Hulhumale’. Many of these illegal businesses sell stolen scrap.
HDC said that reports of scrap including damaged iron, cables, and similar material being stolen by illegal vendors have been on the rise.
Effective from 15th February 2023, HDC will take necessary action against any business or individual found in breach of its guidelines. Moreover, only registered scrap dealers with export licenses will be permitted to operate.