The local council has opened applications for 58 plots of land from B. Dharavandhoo.

The decision to issue land from Dharavandhoo was made during a council meeting last Wednesday. During the meeting, the council decided to issue 58 plots of land the size of 20,000 square feet for residential purposes.

The eligibility criteria include being 18 years of age and lack of ownership of any land or apartment.

Those who previously owned a flat under a housing project are ineligible if it has been less than two years since they relinquished control of or sold the flat.

Application forms are available from the Dharavandhoo Council’s counter during official working hours until June 19.

Dharavandhoo Council’s vice president Hussain Nazim told Sun that it has been years since land was last issued from the island.

“It has been some five years. The people ask when land will be issued during all community meetings,” he said.

Nazim said the council had consulted with the residents of the island about issuing land.

The 57-hector Dharavandhoo is populated by some 1,200 people. Equipped with an airport, the island has a booming guesthouse business.