Police Destroy Over 500 Abandoned Vehicles to Ease Congestion in Malé

In a major cleanup effort aimed at tackling congestion in the capital, the Maldives Police Service has destroyed over 500 unclaimed vehicles—most of them motorcycles—after months of impoundment due to traffic and parking violations.

568 Vehicles Removed from the Streets

According to an official statement shared on the social media platform X, police confirmed that a total of 568 vehicles were dismantled on Saturday, 31 May 2025. The majority—524 of them—were two-wheelers, while the remaining 44 were four-wheelers.

These vehicles had been previously seized during targeted operations focused on illegally parked and abandoned vehicles across Malé City and Hulhumalé. The operations, which began in September 2024, were a joint initiative between the Maldives Police Service, Malé City Council, and the Housing Development Corporation (HDC).

Clearing Streets for Safer Access

Officials say the move is part of a broader plan to enhance road safety, traffic flow, and emergency accessibility in the capital. With Malé’s limited road space, abandoned and illegally parked vehicles have long been a source of frustration for drivers, pedestrians, and emergency responders.

Back in July 2024, the Ministry of Transport revealed that approximately 65% of Malé’s streets were taken up by parked vehicles, contributing significantly to traffic bottlenecks and posing risks for accidents. The latest vehicle removals are part of a growing effort to reclaim public road space for more efficient and safer use.

Legal Procedures Followed

Under existing traffic and vehicle regulations, police are legally empowered to destroy any impounded vehicle that remains unclaimed for 60 days after a public notice is issued. The 568 vehicles scrapped on 31 May had surpassed that grace period, with no owners coming forward to reclaim them despite repeated public announcements.

Authorities emphasized that the process strictly adhered to legal protocols and that owners had been given ample opportunity to recover their vehicles before action was taken.

The police have encouraged all vehicle owners to follow parking regulations and remain informed about any public announcements related to impounded vehicles to avoid future losses.