Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen has attributed the worsening traffic congestion and overcrowding of vehicles in the capital Malé City to the negligence of the Malé City Council, accusing the council of registering vehicles in the capital without adherence to any legal framework between 2019 and the end of 2023.

During Monday’s sitting of the People’s Majlis, MP for North Galolhu constituency Mohamed “Kudoo” Ibrahim questioned the minister regarding the government’s efforts to address the surge in vehicles, increasing road congestion as well as the growing number of dangerous accidents in the capital.

In response, the minister said that vehicle registrations in Malé City have far exceeded the city’s road capacity, leading to severe congestion. He held the Malé City Council accountable, stating that statistics indicate a 118.5 percent increase in vehicle registrations in the Malé area between 2019 and 2023, a period that includes Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s tenure as Mayor from 2021 until the recent change in government.

Ameen emphasized that under the Decentralization Act, it is the city council’s responsibility to determine the carrying capacity for vehicles in the Malé area. However, he noted that the council had failed to fulfill this duty, allowing uncontrolled growth in vehicle numbers without proper oversight or regulation.

The minister further highlighted that the unchecked increase in land vehicles has worsened traffic congestion, escalated the number of accidents and exacerbated the parking crisis in Malé City, which are issues he described as urgent and in need of immediate resolution.