The Greater Malé Transport and Mobility Office has been established to alleviate the acute traffic congestion plaguing the capital. Work to formalise this administrative body, which operates under the guidance of a governing board, is currently under way.
During a briefing to outline the new agency’s mandate, the Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade noted that the creation of the office reflects the special priority President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has placed on resolving the capital’s severe congestion issues.
Minister Mohamed Saeed remarked, "As the population of the Greater Malé region increases day by day, the number of vehicles is also rising proportionally. The 'Greater Malé Transport and Mobility Office' has been established with the objective of finding a permanent solution to the severe traffic congestion problems faced in the Malé region."
The strategy integrates the Maldives Police Service, the Housing Development Corporation, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, the Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, and the Malé City Council. The government has identified eleven priority areas, including legislative reform, digitisation, and traffic management.
The latest census data underscores the severity of the crisis. 254,557 people reside in the Greater Malé area, where the vehicle count has reached 131,689. Vehicular traffic and parking dominate 82 per cent of available space, leaving a mere 18 per cent accessible to pedestrians. The agency will lead regional transport modernisation.