The Government’s Malé Fahi programme is showing tangible progress, according to Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen, who said that while the initiative has delivered promising results, further work is needed.

In an interview with state media, Minister Ameen said the programme, launched to ease Malé’s worsening traffic congestion, had already achieved notable success. However, he acknowledged that certain issues still require attention and that the Ministry is actively pursuing improvements.

He noted that Malé’s traffic problem had escalated into a serious issue after being left unaddressed for years. Although previous efforts were made, he said their limited impact was due to the scale of the problem.

The Minister highlighted several outcomes of the programme, including the removal of derelict vehicles from the streets of Malé and Hulhumalé. He also confirmed four new parking zones are now in use.

Looking ahead, Minister Ameen announced that from July onwards, private vehicles will only be permitted into the Maldives if owners either secure a garage for parking or obtain special permission. He said such measures are essential to regulate the continued influx of vehicles.

While acknowledging that constructing multi-storey parking facilities remains a top priority, the Minister said work had been delayed due to various challenges but would continue shortly.

On the matter of determining Malé’s vehicle carrying capacity, Minister Ameen noted that although the City Council had been given multiple deadlines, the Ministry would consider amending legislation to take over the task if necessary. He said the Government would then set a vehicle limit and issue certificates of entitlement based on that cap, following international models.

He also reported a 75 per cent drop in private vehicle imports and registrations in 2024 compared to the previous year, calling it a major success in managing traffic growth.