Male' City Council has launched a MVR 462 million project to develop all the roads within the city.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih launched the event at the first road to be developed under the project; Kan'baa Aisa Higun, near the West Park area.

Speaking during the event, Male' City Mayor Shifa Mohamed revealed that with the road development project, drainage pipes from construction sites will run underground. The roads will also feature better water drainage systems and cause lesser losses from natural events such as flash floods.

She further added that sewerage systems, electrical network and telecommunications cable works will be much easier to be carried out without having to destroy parts of the road.

With the road development in place, roads in the city will be graded into five criterion; Four-Wheeler Heavy Load Vehciles, Four-Wheeler Vehicles, Two-Wheeler Motor Vehicles, Non-Motor Vehicles and Pedestrian Only roads.

Shifa further added that all roads will include a sidewalk, including narrow roads with no sidewalks. These roads will include an 18-inch side walk. The new roads will be made accessible for people with disabilities, and include a brand new camera system. The road system is designed in a way to elevate the traffic congestion in the city and to make it easier for public transport such as buses to operate.

As such, Shifa highlighted that two bus routes will be developed for the public and school children. She estimated an approximate of three minutes to reach a bus route from each household in the city.

Mayor Shifa further added that the first roads being developed under the pilot project will be completed within two months and cost MVR 50 million, while the entire project is estimated to finish up in two years and cost MVR 462 million.