In a bid to alleviate traffic congestion during Ramadan, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has announced changes to the operating hours for heavy commercial vehicles in the Greater Malé area. These adjustments are designed to ensure smoother traffic flow, particularly during peak office hours, and to reduce road congestion in the capital.
Effective immediately, the new guidelines permit heavy vehicles to operate within the city area from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. These operational hours will remain in effect until the 19th of this month. Additionally, goods will be loaded from 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM during this period. For the first week of Shawwal, the same hours will apply to freight transportation.
The Ministry has also introduced specific time slots when heavy vehicles are prohibited from driving in the city. Commercial freight vehicles will be banned from operating between 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM and from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM during the first seven days of Ramadan.
Looking ahead to the final ten days of the holy month, the Ministry has made further modifications to the operational and prohibited hours for heavy vehicles. These vehicles will be allowed to load goods between 6:00 AM and 4:30 PM and between 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM. However, transportation of goods will be strictly prohibited from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM during these last days of Ramadan.
To encourage compliance, the Ministry has announced a fine of MVR 750 for any heavy vehicle carrying goods outside the designated hours.
Authorities are emphasizing the importance of these measures, with a focus on enhancing traffic management during the afternoon and evening, times of peak congestion. The changes are expected to improve the flow of traffic during a time when the city typically experiences higher vehicle movement, especially as businesses and government offices adjust their hours for Ramadan.
