The Ministry of Transport has ordered Malé City Council to cease the rental of parking spaces on the capital’s streets, aiming to address the ongoing shortage of temporary parking spaces and ensure fair use of public roadways.
In its announcement, the ministry stated that the directive also includes a prohibition on renewing existing rental agreements once they expire. The move is part of broader efforts to improve access to parking for all residents and visitors in the densely populated city.
The parking slots, initially rented out during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s tenure as mayor, were a source of controversy. Despite public concerns over the allocation of the spaces in Malé’s congested streets, the rental system continued. Allegations of corruption related to the allocation process also surfaced during this period.
According to media reports, as of May this year, 1,120 parking spaces had been rented out across five areas of the city. The city council reported earning MVR 17.6 million in revenue from these parking spaces up to that date.