President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced plans to construct around 60 finger jetties near the Izzuddin Jetty area to address long-standing congestion and improve passenger access to speedboats travelling between Malé and the atolls.
Speaking during the latest episode of the Nation Chat podcast aired on PSM on Wednesday, the President said the new infrastructure would eliminate the need for passengers to move across moored speedboats when boarding or disembarking.
He said speedboats arriving from the atolls currently crowd the harbour, forcing passengers to cross from one vessel to another, a practice that has caused difficulties for travellers for many years. The planned finger jetties will allow passenger speedboats to berth directly alongside the quay.
The President said the finger jetties would be constructed as part of the remaining works of the Boduthakurufaanu Magu redevelopment project, which includes improvements to the capital’s outer ring road. He said the government aims to complete the project by November next year.
The remaining section of the redevelopment will extend from the Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) area to the Tsunami Monument. According to the President, the completed two-lane road is expected to improve traffic flow in Malé.
The latest phase of the Boduthakurufaanu Magu redevelopment, covering segments two to five, was opened to traffic on Friday. The MVR 144 million project includes road widening, new paving, upgrades to water and sewerage infrastructure, and the installation of a new drainage network.
Although the President referred to the planned structures as jetties, the concept designs released by the government show finger piers extending into the harbour, allowing vessels to berth individually without obstructing one another.
