Ministry Initiates Legal Reforms to Alleviate Vehicle Congestion in Islands

Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen has revealed that the Ministry has taken steps to address vehicle congestion issues in inhabited islands by submitting proposed amendments on vehicle registrations to the Attorney General’s Office (AGO).

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Minister Ameen emphasised the pressing need to tackle the problem of vehicle congestion, attributing it largely to the illicit registration of vehicles, a practice that will no longer be tolerated. He underscored the imbalance between the number of motorcycles and four-wheeled vehicles in Malé City, noting that the current volume of motorcycles surpasses the city’s capacity.

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Despite acknowledging the necessity for change, Minister Ameen highlighted the challenges posed by existing legislation. He pointed out discrepancies such as the fixed motorcycle registration fee of MVR 100, which experts recommend should be subject to ministry discretion. However, due to legal constraints, the Minister stated that amendments were essential and have consequently been forwarded to the AGO.

Furthermore, Minister Ameen outlined additional proposed amendments to import-export laws and traffic regulations, anticipating significant improvements to current challenges.

One significant proposed change involves delaying the classification of imported vehicles as such under the law until they are registered, Minister Ameen disclosed.

Under existing legislation, local councils of inhabited islands are responsible for regulating vehicle numbers. However, this regulation has yet to be implemented in Malé City. Minister Ameen attributed this delay to difficulties in complying with Transport Ministry regulations. To address this, a new policy has been introduced, empowering the city council to establish the city’s vehicle capacity without the need for additional ministry regulations.

These proposed amendments signify a concerted effort by the Ministry to alleviate vehicle congestion issues, pending legal review and approval.