Survey teams begin fieldwork as Male' City’s major road‑modernisation project moves forward

The surveys required to prepare the drawings for the road development project in Male' and Vilimale' began on Tuesday.

The Housing Ministry said it has started conducting surveys and technical studies to prepare the detailed drawings for the project.

The project is funded by the Chinese government.

According to the ministry, field studies and consultation meetings with relevant stakeholders will continue until the 4th of next month.

Earlier last month, the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development said the government would not delay the road construction project.

He said grant‑funded projects are implemented in accordance with the rules of the donor country, and the road development project will proceed under the same framework.

Giving an overview of the project, Minister Dr Abdullah Muthalib said the feasibility stage has been completed and a survey and design team has been selected. The team will arrive in Male' this month. After that, the project will be tendered and procured in China, and a separate company will be selected to begin the work. He did not give an exact date for when construction will start.

މާލެ އަދި ވިލިމާލޭގެ މަގުތައް ޒަމާނީ ފެންވަރަށް ތަރައްޤީކުރުމަށް ކުރިއަށްގެންދާ މަޝްރޫޢުގެ ތަފްޞީލީ ކުރެހުންތައް އެކުލަވައިލުމަށް ބޭނުންވާ ސާވޭތަކާއި ދިރާސާކުރުމުގެ މަސައްކަތްތައް ފަށައިފިއެވެ.

ޗައިނާ ސަރުކާރުގެ ހިލޭ އެހީގެ ދަށުން ކުރިއަށްގެންދާ މި މަޝްެރޫޫއުގެ ތެރެއިން،… pic.twitter.com/Jo611pvUpM

— Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Dev. (@MIHUDmv) June 2, 2026

Muthalib assured that the construction of Male' City’s roads will continue as planned.

It is noteworthy that earlier in his administration, in January 2024, following his first visit to China, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu told reporters that China had arranged USD 130 million in free aid. He said the largest portion of the aid would be spent on developing the roads of Male' City.

“It is about USD 130 million in free aid. We are going to spend on development projects in Maldives. The biggest part of it is going to be spent on roads in Male' City,” he said.

The funds will be used for various development projects identified by the government.

When it rains, the streets of Male' City continue to flood, and several roads remain in very poor condition.