RDC lacks asphalt laying capacity at present: Minister Muththalib

Road Development Corporation (RDC) currently lacks the capacity to lay asphalt, Infrastructure Minister Dr Abdulla Muththalib has said.

The minister made the statement in response to a question from People's National Congress (PNC) MP Ahmed Riyaz regarding delays in roadworks in Thimarafushi.

According to Minister Muththalib, the road project was initially subcontracted to an Indian company.

However, since the new administration took office, the subcontractor has not completed any work on the project. RDC then took over the project and began preliminary roadwork, including the laying of tar.

Despite this progress, the paving work has stalled due to RDC's lack of capacity to lay asphalt, the minister said.

“RDC does not have the capacity to lay asphalt itself at the moment, so the paving work has not started. We are working with RDC to find a solution,” he said.

RDC, however is handling road construction projects across various islands. Under the previous administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, RDC was awarded 37 road development projects.

However, several of these faced delays or were suspended after initial groundwork.

The current government has since resumed roadwork in multiple islands, including new projects awarded to RDC.

Among the largest is the Addu City Link Road project, which spans 67.58 kilometers and costs MVR 829.8 million. The project is scheduled to be completed within three years and nine months.