President Muizzu Offers Shifting Narratives on Parking Buildings, Now Pledges Two Structures for Male' This Year
During the fourth episode of the President’s Office podcast, 'The Pulse,' aired on Friday, President Muizzu stated that construction has commenced on several parking buildings in Hulhumalé. However, to date, the government has only been able to confirm the commencement of physical works for a single parking structure in the city.
A scale model of the new parking facility in Hulhumalé Phase 1, following its foundation stone-laying ceremony. | President's Office
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the construction of at least two dedicated parking buildings will commence in Male' City within this year.
While the President has once again addressed the pressing issue of parking, it is noteworthy that despite numerous previous pledges and varying statements on the matter, the administration has struggled to deliver tangible results thus far.
Speaking on Friday during the President’s Office podcast "The Pulse – Episode 4," President Muizzu claimed that work on two parking buildings in Male' and three to four buildings in Hulhumale' has already begun. However, this comes at a time when the administration has reached a significant milestone in its term, yet only one parking building in Hulhumale' has seen its physical work officially inaugurated.
Acknowledging the delay in declaring the start of the two Male' projects, President Muizzu remarked, "This process has indeed taken some time."
He further explained that the government initially sought foreign aid to finance these projects. However, he stated that the administration no longer intends to wait for foreign assistance and will proceed through alternative means.
This marks a shift from his previous stance. On September 7th last year, while meeting with the residents of Henveiru, the President had indicated that the development of four parking buildings across Male', Villimale', and Hulhumale' had been included under the Indian Government's Line of Credit.
The foundation stone for the first parking building in Hulhumale' was laid on March 29th this year. According to the government, this project is a collaboration between the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation and the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), executed under the Private Sector Initiated Project (PSIP) model.
The 13-story state-of-the-art facility, named "NXT by Batch," is being developed by Batch Construction Private Limited with a 24-month completion timeline. The building is designed to accommodate over 800 four-wheeled vehicles and more than 500 motorcycles.
The government has further announced plans to develop a total of seven parking buildings in Hulhumale' to alleviate the area's congestion issues. It was stated that the remaining six buildings have been contracted to six Maldivian companies. However, details regarding these companies or the financing mechanisms for these projects have not been disclosed to the public.
Addressing the congestion caused by the overflow of vehicles on the streets of the Greater Male' Area through the construction of parking buildings remains a key presidential pledge of Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
