No new parking slots rented, mayor Azim says

Male city council has not allocated any new parking slots this term, mayor Adam Azim said on Tuesday.

Transport ministry on Monday asked the city council to halt renting out parking slots on the streets of Male.

Regarding the ministry's order, Azim told Atoll Times that no additional parking slots have been allocated during this term of the council.

"We are renewing the contracts of the previously allocated slots on the advice of the council," he said.

Azim said he would share with the council the next steps regarding the transport notice after consultation.

The ministry gazetted a notice on Monday ordering the city council to stop renting out parking slots.

According to the ministry, the order is part of the government's plan to reduce congestion on the city's roads.

The city council started allocating parking slots for rent in public spaces and parking zones when the incumbent President Mohamed Muizzu was the mayor of the city.

Meanwhile, Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has opened 1,375 parking slots in eight zones of Hulhumale for rent at MVR 2,000.