Male road redevelopment delayed to 2025

A project to modernise the roads in Male, initially scheduled to begin this year, has now been postponed to start in the upcoming year, construction minister Dr Abdulla Muththalib said Monday.

While the delay has raised questions, the government assures that preparations are underway, and construction is set to move forward as quickly as possible once all necessary groundwork is completed.

President Mohamed Muizzu, during his state visit to China in January, announced that a significant portion of the $130 million allocated for infrastructure development would be invested in upgrading Male roads. During his address at the opening of parliament in February, he emphasised that the project would commence within the year. 

He stated, “The work of improving the roads in the city will hopefully start this year. The majority of the cost of the project will be covered by China's grant aid.”

To discuss the project’s scope and timeline, a Chinese delegation visited the Maldives in March. Since then, however, the road project has faced delays due to logistical and procedural hurdles. 

Muththalib clarified during a press conference at the President’s Office that the government is committed to beginning the work as soon as possible, but highlighted that such large-scale projects funded through foreign aid typically require extensive preliminary stages.

“The project is being implemented under the Chinese government’s grant assistance,” Muththalib explained, “and projects of this nature follow a structured timeline, which includes a proposal submission, approval processes, feasibility studies, and project design.”

The minister noted that these stages are being handled by the Chinese government, which means the Maldives government does not directly control the pace.

According to Muththalib, the feasibility team from China is expected to arrive in Male on the 4th of next month to gather the necessary data. Their visit will span approximately 20 days, during which they will complete assessments and compile essential information for the project.

"We aim to launch the practical work by the middle of next year," Muththalib said, "with the objective of completing the entire project over the next four years."

He acknowledged the challenges posed by Male' city’s high population density but reassured the public that the government is committed to minimising disruptions.

"We don’t want to rush this project. Our priority is efficiency and minimal inconvenience for the residents," he stated. 

Once completed, the road modernisation project will also offer a long-term solution to the city’s flooding issues, a persistent problem that has affected daily life for many residents.