The traffic stop at the intersection of Majeedhee Magu and Sosun Magu remains offline, even after Majeedhee Magu’s year-long road development project.

The intersection sees the most traffic in all of Majeedhee Magu, and is important for congregations outside the nearby mosque during Friday prayers, and for ADK Hospital ambulances.

But the housing ministry does not feel it necessary to turn the traffic lights on, even if it means that the roads get blocked every few minutes, especially during rush hour.

This is a typical example of the government’s usual development plans; start a project no one asked for and have it make no difference once it’s done.

What changed after Majeedhe Magu’s renovation? The housing ministry promised a more efficient drainage and cable system, and access for the disabled. There are dips at the edges of the pavements, which is the only reason the government can claim that their project made the road more accessible for people with disabilities.

Despite an year-long road development project, nothing has changed. The traffic stop near ADK Hospital still doesn’t work, and the road still gets flooded. This was part of an almost one million US dollar project to repair and upgrade the capital city’s roads. The same problems before the renovation exists after the renovation.

What is the point of the major changes to traffic flow in Malé? What is the point of uprooting old trees at the Republic Square and removing monuments? The point is that the government can do all this on a whim, and there is no independent authority to question its motive and hold it accountable.