The government has proposed a new extension of 9,000 graves to the Addolorata Cemetery. The proposed extension is to the back of the cemetery leading to Sta Lucia road.

Social Policy Minister John Dalli told a news conference the project would include the renovation of the existing cemetery and the new construction, which would respect the architectural value of the existing Gothic cemetery.

The extension would cost around €30 million, the renovation €3 million.

Mr Dalli said the government was not expected to fork out any capital because the project would be self-financing. Each grave would cost around €8,000.

The cemetery would not be privatised but handed over to a government agency and a management contract for 25 years would be issued by tender.