More than 200 vehicles were towed from the streets of Malé City on Saturday as police stepped up efforts to tackle chronic road congestion.

According to the Maldives Police Service, the operation targeted obstructive and unused vehicles, with 168 motorbikes and 40 cars towed during the day.

The initiative is part of an ongoing campaign to ease traffic flow and enhance road safety in the capital, where chronic congestion has long been a concern. 

According to the authorities, the operation builds on earlier clearance drives, including a large-scale effort in February that saw over 400 abandoned vehicles taken off Malé’s roads. Similar actions have also been carried out in Hulhumalé to tackle vehicle build-up there.

Many vehicles are parked unlawfully on both sides of busy roads in Malé, creating serious inconvenience for pedestrians and motorists. In addition, a large number of old and unusable vehicles remain abandoned across the city, worsening congestion and contributing to the deterioration of roads.

Similar operations are also being carried out in Hulhumalé, where authorities have begun removing illegally parked vehicles from various areas. 

Police had formally announced towing operations in Boduthakurufaanu Magu on 19 June 2025, following similar measures introduced on Majeedhee Magu last year. Alongside towing, abandoned and unclaimed vehicles are also being removed and scrapped.