President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said regional development, rather than infrastructure projects alone, is key to providing a lasting solution to traffic congestion in the Greater Malé Region.

Speaking on the fourth episode of The Pulse podcast, the President said the Government's long-term approach is to ease pressure on Malé by creating housing, expanding public services and increasing economic opportunities across the atolls. He said reducing the concentration of people and services in the capital would address the underlying causes of congestion more effectively than relying solely on road and infrastructure projects.

The President added that ongoing road and housing developments are intended to meet the immediate demands of the Greater Malé Region, where nearly 40 per cent of the country's population resides. However, he said those projects also support the Government's wider objective of promoting balanced development nationwide.

The Government has recently introduced several measures aimed at improving transport and reducing congestion in the Greater Malé Region.

Last week, President Dr Muizzu established the Greater Malé Transport and Mobility Office under the Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade to oversee efforts to improve mobility, expand parking infrastructure and implement long-term transport solutions. The office will also coordinate with relevant agencies on policies and programmes designed to improve the region's transport network.

Earlier this month, Economic Development, Transport and Trade Minister Mohamed Saeed said the Government was pursuing a comprehensive strategy involving multiple State institutions to address congestion and parking challenges. He said road redevelopment projects, stricter vehicle registration measures, the removal of abandoned vehicles and the expansion of parking facilities form part of efforts to improve traffic management in the Greater Malé Region.