Street completed by ex-govt needs complete re-development

The Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure has said that in order to solve the issue of flooding in the Kanba-Aisa-Rani street built by the previous government, it needs to be demolished to install a functioning drainage system.

The street was taken apart and rebuilt by the street Development Corporation (RDC) in the last government to solve the flooding problem. However, the street is still flooded on rainy days.

One of the most flooded streets in the city on Sunday was Kanba-Aisa-Rani.

Construction and Infrastructure Minister Dr Abdullah Muthalib said on Thursday that the only way to resolve the flooding issue is to upgrade the drainage system after taking the street paving apart again. 

Replying to a question from Atoll Times at a press conference held at the ministry on Thursday, Minister Muthalib said:

"The pump was running at full speed and water was flowing on that day as well. But it was raining too much for that one pump," he said.

"We have to fix it of course. When we look at fixing it, it's a very recently built street. We have to demolish it again. Anyway, we have to re-install the pipes," Muthalib said.

The minister said work is now underway to resolve the flooding problem in Kanba-Aisa-Rani after the completion of the construction of Ameenee road.

“After completing Ameenee road, Kanba-Aisa-Rani [street construction] will be resumed, -paving included,” he said.

Muthalib said he would try to demolish the carriageway of the street without demolishing the pavement during development.

“If we have to expand the entire catchment area and install an additional pump station, we are looking to do it all to resolve this issue,” he said.

The minister said the flooding problem on Ameenee road under construction would be solved by installing a drainage system on the street.

"Ameenee road [flooding problem] will be solved when the system is completed. All the pipelines are being laid while the street is being constructed. However, the pumps have not been brought yet," Muthalib said.

The minister said he is working with RDC to bring the pumps soon.

The minister said the reconstruction of all streets in the city is one of the top priorities of the government to solve the problem of flooding.

"The streets will be upgraded in water, sewerage and electricity systems. Storm water, fire hydrants and all these things will be installed”, he said, noting that the project will cost hundreds of millions of dollars.