President Solih officially kicks off Male' City Streetscaping Project

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Monday, inaugurated the MVR 474 million worth 'Male' City Streetscaping Project', at a function held at the West Park area, capital city Male'.

During the ceremony, he noted that the project would develop the island into a more safer and convenient city, as "imagined by the administration".

The development plan aims to address pressing urban issues faced by Male' City residents. It proposes the redevelopment and enhancement of streets with improved design elements, including dedicated parking spaces for all wards, a pilot project on public transport, integration of underground network pipelines carrying essential utility services and stormwater management system.

For the project, 18 kilometres of roadway and pavement on 416 roads are to be renovated, in addition to 21 new parking spaces.

Outgoing Male' City Mayor Shifa Mohamed said the project's first phase would cost roughly MVR 50.9 million. The first phase involves the redevelopment of the western ring road of the capital city and is estimated to conclude by July.

Furthermore, she declared that the streetscaping would solve the issue of flooding. Shifa also shed light on Male' City Council's intention to reintroduce public transportation within the city and provide bus services to students.

Road Development Corporation (RDC) is set to develop four types of roads, including arterial, city, secondary and neighbourhood pedestrian roads.

The President also declared that efforts to relocate the Male’ Commercial Port to the industrial islands of Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi will begin before June. This project requires the construction of three bridges to link Male' and Vilimale', Vilimale' and Gulhifalhu, and Gulhifalhu to Thilafushi. The proposed cost of the project stands at MVR 488 million.