Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan has announced that the removal of unused and illegally parked vehicles in Hulhumalé began on Saturday, following repeated complaints from residents.

In a post on X on Sunday, Minister Ihusaan said the decision was initiated after President Dr Mohamed Muizzu received public complaints about vehicles abandoned or parked irregularly across various parts of Hulhumalé. He noted that many of these vehicles had been left unattended for long periods, causing obstruction and inconvenience to residents.

The three-day operation is being carried out jointly by the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology, the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), nine state-owned enterprises, and Public Works.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen said abandoned vehicles have become a persistent problem on the roads of Hulhumalé, creating difficulties for parking and hindering other road users. He added that commercial vehicles are also being left parked in this manner and urged owners to remove them promptly.

Authorities stated that vehicles seized under the programme will be handled according to existing regulations and will be processed in the same manner as vehicles towed by the police.