Velanaage-based employees protest following closure of parking zone without notice

Employees working in offices based at Velaanaage, a government office complex in Male’ City, protested on Tuesday over the closure of the parking zone situated next to Dharumavantha School without prior notice.

The staff staged the protest in front of Velnaage. They said although the parking zone was to be closed – an earlier notice would have provided an easement to the difficulties they would have to subsequently bear.

Additionally, they stressed that the parking zone should have been closed after the allocation of another area for parking.

A participant of the protest told Sun that difficulties borne by the employees would have been much lighter if the parking zone was closed on a non-working day.

The protestors, underscoring the area comprises of the largest number of government offices making it a highly frequented area, emphasized on the lack of a dedicated parking zone for office-goers.

“As you all may know, this area where our offices are located is one of the busiest. Nevertheless, there is no dedicated parking area. While circumstances stand this way, the place (parking zone) was closed without any prior notice. Where shall we keep our motorbikes now? We will see them getting towed if parked elsewhere. Or would have gotten a sticker,” a protestor said.

Lack of parking zone for motorbikes in Velanaage area is a pertinent issue. To ease difficulties that may arise subsequently, a parking zone with a capacity of 200 something is under development in the land plot where the old Huravaee Building was located. However, the parking zone has not been brought into use yet.

Just recently, the police had pasted stickers on a large number of motorbikes parked near Velanaage. The incident drew criticism from the public over the absence of a parking zone in the area.

When reached out for comment – Male’ City Council’s Spokesperson Malsha Shareef said the Council’s responsibility is to repaint the parking zones.