The Maldives Police Service has removed 468 abandoned vehicles from the streets of Malé within just four days, as part of an ongoing effort to clear roads and improve traffic flow in the congested capital.
The operation, which began on Saturday, has primarily targeted long-abandoned vehicles obstructing public spaces. According to police statistics shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, the removed vehicles include 432 two-wheelers, 33 four-wheelers, and three bicycles.
Authorities have been ramping up efforts to address illegal parking and vehicle congestion, an issue that has long plagued Malé. A similar initiative was launched in September last year, focusing on illegally parked vehicles that contribute to traffic bottlenecks and safety hazards.
The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has previously highlighted that 65 percent of Malé’s roads are occupied by parked vehicles, making it one of the key factors behind the rising number of road accidents.
In addition to Malé, the Maldives Police Service, in collaboration with the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), has also extended its operations to Hulhumalé, where abandoned vehicles have been removed in recent weeks.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance road safety and ease congestion, particularly as urban expansion continues in the Greater Malé region. Authorities have urged vehicle owners to ensure that their vehicles are properly parked and maintained, warning that stricter enforcement measures may follow for repeat violations.
