Minister unable to provide answers regarding Addu Link Road project, which commenced seven months after being awarded

Despite announcing that the modernization of the Addu Link Road had commenced in November—seven months after the project was awarded to the Road Development Corporation (RDC) on April 8, 2025—Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Dr. Abdulla Muththalib was unable to provide a progress update when questioned about the project eight months later.

During Monday's parliamentary sitting, Ahmed Azaan Marzooq, the Member of Parliament for Central Hithadhoo constituency, raised inquiries regarding the ongoing delays in completing the Addu Link Road project.

Avoiding a direct answer to the question, Minister Muththalib instead highlighted the challenges surrounding the matter. Furthermore, the Minister was unable to provide a specific completion date for the project.

The Link Road is a heavily congested route with no alternative diversions. Therefore, our strategy for its reconstruction must involve completing and opening one side of the road before commencing work on the other. Our immediate priority is the development of the carriage-way rather than the construction of sidewalks, following the necessary clearing for expansion. Just yesterday, the President and I, alongside the Managing Director of RDC, held discussions specifically regarding the Addu Link Road. The Addu Link Road project remains one of our highest priorities.

Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Abdulla Muththalib

While the Minister did not provide the latest updates on the matter, Minister Muththalib stated that efforts would be made to expedite the project's progress.

Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Dr. Abdulla Muththalib earlier assured that physical work on the Addu Link Road would commence within 2024, however, two years have passed without any practical progress on the project.

Despite being questioned on the matter multiple times in Parliament, Minister Muththalib has failed to provide a direct answer. Even as members repeatedly pressed for clarification, the Minister would only state that physical work on the project is expected to commence very soon.

After significant delays, the Road Development Corporation (RDC) has announced that work has finally commenced on the Link Road expansion project. The company stated that efforts are currently underway to clear the area and transplant trees to other locations to facilitate the widening of the road and the addition of new lanes. RDC further informed state media that all necessary equipment and materials required for the project have now been mobilized to the site.

The Link Road project is set to cover a total distance of 12.3 kilometers. Additionally, as part of the Addu road development initiative, asphalt paving will be carried out on roads where the Cement Treated Base (CTB) has already been laid. This component of the project will see a total of 67.58 kilometers of road being paved with asphalt.

While the project is targeted for completion by 2028, commuters using this road have faced significant difficulties in recent days.

The Addu Link Road was officially brought into operation in 2003.