Police issue appeal as Hulhumale’ sees rise in vehicle parking on sidewalks

The police issued a public appeal on Monday, over a rise in vehicle parking on pedestrian sidewalks in Hulhumale’.

The populous Male’ area faces severe vehicular congestion. With parking spaces limited, many motorists park their vehicles illegally.

In a post on X on Monday night, the police said they have noticed a rise in instances where vehicles are parked on the sidewalks in Hulhumale’.

ހުޅުމާލޭގެ މަގުތަކުގައި ހިނގާބިނގާވެ އުޅޭ މީހުންނަށް ހާއްސަކޮށްފައިވާ ދުވާރުތަކުގައި އުޅަނދު ޕާކުކުރުން އިތުރުވަމުންދާތީ، އެފަދަ ސަރަހައްދުތަކުގައި އުޅަނދު ޕާކުނުކުރުމަށް އެންމެހައި ފަރާތްތަކަކަށް އިލްތިމާސްކުރަމެވެ.

އެއްގަމު ދަތުރުފަތުރުގެ ޤާނޫނުގެ 55 ވަނަ މާއްދާގައި… pic.twitter.com/RzlscTFsUK

— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) July 6, 2026

They stressed that sidewalks are strictly for pedestrian use, and urged the public against parking vehicles in such areas.

The police issued a reminder that it is illegal to drive vehicles in sidewalks and other designated pedestrian areas, except for children’s prams and manual wheelchairs used by persons with disabilities.

The appeal comes as the Male’ area continues to face a shortage of parking space.

A study by the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) showed the capital has an excess of 30,000 vehicles beyond the ideal carrying capacity.

In June, Minister for Economic Development, Transport and Trade, Mohamed Saeed said the government aims to provide an acceptable solution to the issue by 2028.

He provided assurance the government was engaged in multiple efforts to resolve the issue.