The Government of the Maldives is preparing to introduce major legal and infrastructural reforms aimed at tackling vehicle congestion in the Greater Malé Region, including proposed amendments to the Transport Act and the development of multiple new parking facilities.

Speaking in Parliament, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen announced that the Ministry is collaborating with the Attorney General’s Office to draft legal amendments that would grant the Ministry the authority to regulate vehicle limits and address congestion directly, powers currently held by local councils under existing law.

Minister Ameen said the proposed amendments to the Transport Act would establish a legal framework enabling the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation to take direct responsibility for regulating vehicle limits and managing congestion. The reforms will also include revisions to motorcycle registration procedures, particularly for vehicles registered under companies. The amendments are expected to be submitted to Parliament within the next few weeks.

Beyond legislative reform, the Minister addressed concerns over delayed parking infrastructure projects in Malé and Hulhumalé, confirming that construction contracts will be awarded within the next month. The projects stem from an agreement signed with the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) in October 2024, under which 15 parking buildings will be developed across Hulhumalé, providing 4,000 parking slots including 3,920 for cars and 3,426 for motorcycles.

Minister Ameen explained that 90 per cent of parking spaces will be sold through public auctions, while the remaining 10 per cent will be reserved for visitors or short-term use. The buildings will be developed on a design, build, and operate basis, with deadlines to be imposed on contractors once work begins.

Highlighting progress in traffic control measures, Minister Ameen noted that vehicle registrations in Malé have dropped by 74 per cent compared to 2023, crediting previous interventions that strengthened registration oversight and reduced illegal registrations. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to addressing congestion through comprehensive and enforceable policies.