The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has unveiled plans to establish designated parking zones exclusively for taxis in Male' City and Hulhumale'. The initiative aims to alleviate the ongoing parking challenges in the Greater Male' Region, the most densely populated and congested area in the Maldives.
Speaking to media outlets, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen announced that efforts are already underway to allocate specific parking areas for taxis in both Male' and Hulhumale'. He stated that the identification process for these zones will commence within the next two weeks. A plot of land has already been earmarked in Hulhumale', and similar arrangements are being made in Male'.
Minister Ameen emphasised that only vehicles displaying taxi boards will be permitted to park in these designated zones. He also mentioned that a separate regulation governing the use of these zones is currently being developed and will be made public. Additionally, he noted that other available land plots in Male' and Hulhumale' will be converted into temporary parking spaces.
In a broader effort to tackle the parking issues in the region, the government is implementing several measures, including the construction of parking facilities, the designation of parking zones, and the enforcement of regulations against unauthorised vehicles. Restrictions on vehicle imports are also being considered as part of these efforts.
To further ease the parking crisis, the government has decided to tow vehicles parked illegally in specific areas such as schools, mosques, and public spaces.