Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has begun laying asphalt on the first segment of Ameenee Magu, bringing the reconstruction of the road’s badly damaged western section closer to completion. The 270-metre Segment 1 runs from Izzudheen Magu near the Voice of Maldives building to the park beside Dharumavantha Hospital, following repairs to the road’s underlying layers and the application of a prime coat.

Once Segment 1 is completed and reopened, MTCC will move to Segment 2, extending from the Voice of Maldives area towards Ghiyasuddin International School. The wider rehabilitation project, which also includes damaged sections of Izzudheen Magu and Boduthakurufaanu Magu, is expected to be completed by November. Changes are also being made to pavement layouts around bus stops to improve durability in areas exposed to heavy vehicles.

The government awarded the MVR 84.4 million repair contract to MTCC on June 15 after sections of Ameenee Magu deteriorated significantly, despite the road having undergone a major MVR 84.4 million redevelopment completed in January 2024. The western section subsequently developed potholes, uneven surfaces and buckled asphalt, with the area near Harbour Food Court and Dharumavantha Hospital particularly affected.

Technical assessments have previously pointed to problems with the underlying road structure, including inadequate compaction beneath the asphalt, as factors contributing to the deterioration. The latest works therefore involve rebuilding the underlying layers rather than simply replacing the damaged surface, with the approach intended to improve the road’s ability to withstand frequent traffic from buses and other heavy vehicles.