Interview/ Mohamed Aslam, former Maldivian minister of national planning, housing and infrastructure
Mohamed Aslam, a senior leader of the MDP, has served as the minister of national planning, housing and infrastructure and environment under both presidents Mohamed Nasheed and Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Excerpts from an interview:
Q/ India has had several key infrastructure projects in the Maldives. How do you assess the impact of these collaborations?
A/ During my time in the last administration, India’s assistance was instrumental, especially in water and sanitation projects on inhabited islands of the Maldives. On 34 islands, groundwater had become contaminated and access to fresh water was a major concern. India stepped in, and your support had a remarkable positive impact. Access to clean drinking water is a basic right, and India helped ensure that right was upheld.
I can confidently say that Indian assistance—whether in infrastructure, business, economy, health care or people-to-people initiatives—has been widespread and meaningful.
Q/ What are the biggest challenges in executing large-scale infrastructure projects in the Maldives?
A/ The biggest challenge is the geographical nature of our country. We are a dispersed oceanic nation, and the sea is not always calm. Strong winds and rough seas pose serious logistical challenges. We also face a shortage of specialised manpower, which limits our capacity to execute large projects efficiently. Additionally, sourcing basic construction materials such as cement and sand is difficult due to limited natural resources. These factors together make large-scale infrastructure development particularly challenging in the Maldives.
Q/ The Maldives faces significant land scarcity, especially in Malé. What policies did you introduce as a minister to address these challenges?
A/ This is where our party, the MDP, fundamentally differs from the current administration. We accepted the reality of our geography and planned accordingly. Being an island nation, we focused on integration—bringing people from across the islands closer together through mobility.
We prioritised building reliable, affordable and high-standard transport to connect the islands. We didn’t need to build roads—we already have the sea. So, we focused on connecting islands within clusters using high-speed vessels. Eight atolls were connected during our tenure and fortunately, those systems are still in place. However, progress has stalled. Had we remained in power, I believe the entire country would have been interconnected by now, overcoming the isolation of many communities.
Q/ How successful have efforts been to develop other islands to reduce Malé’s congestion?
A/ The only way to ease congestion in Malé is to develop other islands. Right now, Malé has become a kind of “black hole”—everything and everyone gets pulled towards it. But Malé cannot be expanded or reclaimed indefinitely. The only long-term solution is to develop alternative urban and economic hubs across the islands. That was our vision.
Q/ What is your vision for the Maldives’ infrastructure over the next decade?
A/ I envision a Maldives where people have the freedom to move across the country by sea and air. Land-based transport is not the future for us. Sea and air travel must be made affordable and accessible to all. Every region and island should have access to the same opportunities as Malé—be it in jobs, health care or education. This national shift cannot happen if we remain focused solely on Malé. Balanced development is essential for a stronger, more connected Maldives.