Velidhoo (Noonu Atoll)
Velidhoo
ވެލިދޫ | |
|---|---|
Velidhoo Location in Maldives | |
| Coordinates: 05°39′45″N 73°16′24″E / 5.66250°N 73.27333°E | |
| Country | Maldives |
| Geographic atoll | Miladhummadulhu Atoll |
| Administrative atoll | Southern Miladhunmadulu |
| Distance to Malé | 166.52 km (89.91 nmi) |
| Dimensions | |
| • Length | 1.19 km (0.74 mi) |
| • Width | 0.71 km (0.44 mi) |
| Population (2022)[1] | |
• Total | 1,832 |
| Time zone | UTC+05:00 (MST) |
| Website | Official website |
Velidhoo (Dhivehi: ވެލިދޫ) is one of the inhabited islands of Noonu Atoll, an administrative division in Maldives. It is the most populous island in the atoll, with a registered population of 1,832 as of the 2022 census.[2]
History
Velidhoo is an island in Maldives. The Maldivian islands have been inhabited since at least the 1st century, most likely through migration from parts of South Asia such as India and Sri Lanka.[3]
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Velidhoo faced the challenge of a growing population, which led to the need for additional space. This led to several land reclamation projects aimed at expanding habitable land and supporting key economic activities, particularly fishing and tourism.[4] In 2010, 14 hectares of land were reclaimed, greatly altering the island's geography.[5] The reclaimed land provided space for new housing, infrastructure, and public amenities to accommodate the rising population. The projects also included the construction of a 255-metre revetment for a boat beaching area that commenced in 2022.[6]
Archaeological findings and local oral tradition suggest the island has been inhabited for centuries. It is the location of a banyan tree (known locally as the Velidhoo Bodu Nikagas) which is estimated by local tradition to be over 300 years old.[7]
Demography
Census data shows that the island’s population has continued to grow at a steady rate.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,716 | — |
| 2014 | 1,722 | +0.3% |
| 2022 | 1,832 | +6.4% |
| 2006–2022: Census populations Source: [8][1] | ||
Governance
Government Offices
Several government offices are located on the island, including:
- The Secretariat of the Velidhoo Council, South Miladhunmadulu
- Velidhoo Police Station
- Velidhoo Magistrate Court, South Miladhunmadulu
- Noonu Atoll Education Centre
- Velidhoo Health Centre
- FENAKA Corporation - Velidhoo Branch
- Maldives Post - Velidhoo Branch
- Bank of Maldives - Velidhoo Branch
- N. Velidhoo Fitness & Recreation Center
Island chiefs
Below is a list of individuals who have served as the island chiefs, with dates provided where available.
- Katheebu Kaleyge – Muththoshige Gasim Fulhu (late) – Muththosige
- Ibrahim Moosa Kaleyfaanu (Naibu dhonkokko) (late) – Seesange
- Hassan Kaleyfaanu (late) – Muththosige
- Easa Gasim (late) – Daylight
- Mohamed Gasim (late) – Ochidmaage
- Abdul Samed Adam Kaleyfanu – Lubomage (3 September 1977 – 7 April 1982)
- Mohamed Hassan (Magoodhu Mohamed Fulhu) (late) – Dorensyvila (31 March 1970)
- Mohamed Hassan (late)– Muththoshige (3 June 1964 – 9 July 1977)
- Mohamed Abubakur (late) – Hilihilage (19 June 1982 – 31 July 1989)
- Ahmed Waheed (late) (Tholhendhu Waheed) (29 August 1970 – 14 June 1975)
- Abdul Azeez Moosa Kaleyfaanu – Oasanvilla (late) (6 July 1978 – 19 July 1979)
- Ali Moosa Kaleyfanu (late) – Elpaso (6 September 1976 – 16 May 1978)
- Ahmed Wasif (late) – Rediyamge (2 November 1982 – 1 December 1983)
- Moosa Hassanfulhu – Dheyliyaage (17 November 1965 – 1992)
- Abdul Rahman Hussain – Kethi (retired)
- Ibrahim Haleem Ali (late) – Bina (late) (died March 10, 2021)
- Ibrahim Naeem - Waves (retired)
First Elected Velidhoo Council - 26 February 2011
- Mohamed Adil - Iramaage (President)
- Ahmed Saeed - Asdhoo (Vice President)
- Ahmed Ziyaad - Maadhuni
- Ahmed Siraaj - France
- Mohamed Faiz - Athiriaage
Second Elected Velidhoo Council - 13 March 2013
- President of council: Ali Ahmeen Boashimaage
- Vice President: Ibrahim Ali Boashimaage
- Councilor: Ali Mujthaba - Kethi
- Councilor: Asma Hussain - Aahama
- Councilor: Ibrahim Qasim - Fashuvimaage
Third Elected Velidhoo Council - 3 June 2017
- Asma Hussain - Aahama (President)
- Ahmed Jaufaru - Dearhouse (Vice President)
- Adam Ali - Hasthee (Council Member)
Fourth Elected Velidhoo Council - 17 May 2021
- Athif Hussain - Aahama (President)
- Jeehan Mohamed - Aliha (Vice President)
- Haafiza Ibrahim - Azum
- Abdulla Abdul Razzaq - Uraha
- Abdulla Faig - Maahaa
Women's Development Committee - 17 May 2021
- Shareefa Hassan - Janbuge
- Khadheeja Adam - Hive
- Aiminath Suneela - Adha
- Khadheeja Ibrahim - Bahaaruge
- Dhiyana Abdul Razzaq - Uraha
Judges
- Ibrahim Moosa Kaleyfaanu (Naibu dhonkokko) (late) – Seesange
- Abdul Azeez Moosa Kaleyfaanu
- Ibrahim Haleem
- Mohamed Ibrahimfulhu (Miladhoo Mohamed fulhu)
- Mohamed Haleem
Wards
Velidhoo has a total of three wards: Uthuru (north), Dhekunu (south), and Fasgan'du (reclaimed land).
Transportation
A new harbour was opened by President Abdulla Yameen in 2017.[9] The harbour, built by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), is 240 m (800 ft) long and 76 m (250 ft) wide.[10][11]
The Velidhoo Road Development Project, contracted to the Road Development Corporation (RDC)[12] in November 2021, aims to develop 5 kilometers of roads on Velidhoo Island, Noonu Atoll, with a budget of MVR 88.5 million (approximately USD 5.7 million). The project includes asphalt paving, sidewalks with drainage systems, stormwater management, and the installation of streetlights.[13]
There are several passenger, supply, and speed boats operating between Velidhoo and the capital of Maldives, Malé. There is also the option of air transport from Maafaru International Airport and directly from Velidhoo.
Air Transport
- Flights from Maafaru International Airport.
- Direct seaplane transfer between Malé and Velidhoo.[14]
Atoll Transport Service
The Raajje Transport Link (RTL), operated by the MTCC, provides a public ferry service in Maldives with high-speed speedboat ferries.[15][16] Currently, the service operates in Noonu Atoll, with a route that connects the island of Velidhoo to the islands of Fodhdhoo, Holhudhoo, Magoodhoo, and Manadhoo.[17]
Public Transport Service
There are several speed boat ferries and supply boats that travel between Malé to Velidhoo and other nearby islands.
Speed Boat Ferries
Supply Boats
- Concord Express
- Blue Marine - 9
- Royal 10
- Life Line
- Sosun Express
Education
The Noonu Atoll Education Centre (NAEC) in Velidhoo was opened in 1981 and teaches students from LKG (Lower Kindergarten) to Grade 11.[18]
Hinz Preschool, a privately owned institution in Velidhoo, provides early childhood education.
In the early days, the location now occupied by Hinz preschool in Velidhoo was home to Nahuza preschool.
Health
The main healthcare medical centre is the government run Velidhoo Health Centre,[19][20] along with the SPMSCL Pharmacy.[21]
References
- ^ a b "Table P5: Resident Population by island and sex, 2022" (PDF). Maldives Census. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ^ "TABLE P5: RESIDENT POPULATION BY ISLAND AND SEX, 2022" (PDF). census.gov.mv. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ Pijpe, Jeroen; de Voogt, Alex; van Oven, Mannis; Henneman, Peter; van der Gaag, Kristiaan J; Kayser, Manfred (2013). "Indian Ocean Crossroads: Human Genetic Originn and Population Structure in the Maldives". American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 151: 58–67. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
- ^ "The Maldives Is Racing To Create New Land. Why Are So Many People Concerned?". Pulitzer Center. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
- ^ "President Meets with the People of Velidhoo". The President's Office, Government of Maldives. 11 January 2011. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ^ "MTCC commences revetment work on boat beaching area in N. Velidhoo". One Online. 26 April 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Visit Velidhoo – #visitvelidhoo". Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ^ "Table 3.3: Total Maldivian Population by Islands" (PDF). National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
- ^ "Yameen cuts ribbons for new harbours on northern atolls tour". Maldives Independent. 24 December 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
- ^ "N. Velidhoo Harbor Officially Opened". Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure. 24 December 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
- ^ "Contracts Awarded for IDB Phase 2 and New Jetty". Dredging Today. 30 November 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
- ^ "Design & Build of Major Roads at N. Velidhoo". rdcmaldives. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ "Velidhoo road development project contracted to RDC". PSMnews.mv. 15 November 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ^ "Maldivian launches seaplane service to Velidhoo". PSMnews.mv. 23 January 2026. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ^ Editorial (25 September 2025). "RTL Ferry Service Launched in Thaa Atoll". Maldives Business Review. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ^ "RTL services launched in Gaaf Alif and Gaaf Dhaalu Atoll". Maldives Financial Review. 15 July 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ^ "MTCC Customer portal". rtl.mv. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ^ "Ministry of Education | Official Website". www.moe.gov.mv. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ^ "Velidhoo Health Centre". noonuatoll.gov.mv. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ^ "Velidhoo Health Centre". health.gov.mv. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ^ "Authorized Pharmacy List" (PDF). health.gov.mv. Retrieved 11 August 2025.