Over 16,000 vehicles imported last year amid traffic concerns

The Maldives Customs Service has disclosed that over 16,000 vehicles were imported to the Maldives last year. Of these, 15,551 were vehicles, including 1,347 cars. The Maldives sees over 10,000 new road vehicle registrations annually, with motorcycles making up 90% of these imports, particularly in the Malé area. Efforts by various governments to manage the growing number of imported vehicles have yet to yield solutions. In the last five years, the government registered 69,780 vehicles, with over 42,000 in Malé, making it the most congested area in the country. The rising number of vehicles, including many that remain unused, has worsened traffic conditions. Challenges include registrations exceeding garage capacities and fraudulent documentation. In response, the current government has now initiated measures to address these issues. The Road Traffic Act empowers local councils to set limits on vehicle registrations and usage periods in specific areas. A recent amendment allows councils to evaluate and categorize vehicles into public transport, private, commercial, and industrial, with the option to create sub-categories.