Housing Ministry hands Ameenee Magu 'fixing' to MTCC amid delays and worsening road conditions

The government company MTCC has been awarded the contract to re-construct the last segment of Ameenee Magu, and the company is preparing to begin work as soon as possible, the Ministry of Housing said on Thursday.

The Ameenee Magu redevelopment project was originally awarded to RDC for MVR 84.4 million during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration. The redevelopment of the last segment of Ameenee Magu was completed two years ago, during the incumbent administration.

Since then, the western end of Ameenee Magu has become one of the most heavily trafficked parts of the road as a two-way, frequently used by various vehicles, including large double-decker buses traveling in both directions.

The section behind the food court previously saw the asphalt surface form potholes and buckle, rising into a wave-like pattern. Following public attention to the matter, repairs were carried out last September to address those defects. However, the area has become significantly damaged once again.

After Sun reported the incident, work was carried out to repair it last September. However, much of the area has now been damaged again.

Meanwhile, Road Development Corporation (RDC) Managing Director Ibrahim Nazeem announced in April that the area would be repaved. He said a foreign road engineer would be brought in to supervise the work.

RDC said repair of the area west of Ameenee Magu is being delayed because the Housing Ministry is making changes to some aspects of the work.

When asked by Sun, the ministry said on Thursday that the repair work of Ameenee Magu, Izzuddin Magu and Boduthakurufaanu Magu was handed over to MTCC on June 15 last year. Thus, MTCC is preparing to start the work as soon as possible. However, no exact date was given.

The ministry said the project will repair roads and change the pavement design of bus stops.

It is noteworthy that the tarmac on both sides of Ameenee Magu has swelled in several areas. Ameenee Magu has been dangerous to drive on for a long time now, and the public continues to express concern about it.

The condition of this area of Ameenee Magu remains very poor while survey work is underway to modernize the roads in Male’ and Villimale’.