After weeks of waiting and more than a few potholes too many, asphalt is finally being poured on a key stretch of Ameenee Magu.
Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) crews started laying the new surface early this morning on the section that has been closed since late June. The work covers the stretch running from the Voice of Maldives offices to Dharumavantha Hospital.
MTCC won the contract in June to rebuild this part of the road after it had become riddled with potholes and surface damage. The company had planned to begin asphalt work last week, but heavy rain forced a delay. An MTCC official confirmed the machines were rolling at first light today.
Another Round of Repairs on a Road That Keeps Coming Back
Ameenee Magu has seen its share of makeovers. The Road Development Corporation carried out a major redevelopment that began in July 2022 under former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. That project rolled out in phases, with the final stage wrapping up in 2024 after the current government took office.
Even after that work, the road needed further fixes last year. Defects kept appearing, and conditions grew risky enough that the government ordered a fresh redevelopment of the worst-hit section. Motorists who have been bouncing through the closed stretch will likely welcome the new surface, though some may wonder how long it will last this time.
Questions Linger Over the Previous Project
The earlier redevelopment carried a price tag of MVR 84 million. That project drew sharp criticism over claims of inflated costs and the use of lower-quality materials. Those allegations still hang over the road’s history as the latest layer of asphalt goes down.
For now, the focus is on getting this stretch smooth and open again. Drivers who rely on Ameenee Magu will be watching to see whether the new surface holds up better than the last one.
