The government has revealed that state-owned companies are undertaking final preparations to open Kudagiri Picnic Island on Independence Day, July 26.
Kudagiri is currently under development as a picnic island for residents of the Greater Male’ Region. The island is being developed jointly by state-owned companies.
Eight hectares of land were reclaimed by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) for the development of the picnic island. MTCC is currently developing the beaches and shore protection structures of the island, as well as jetty, reception and staff accommodation.
The masterplan of the picnic island was developed by Housing Development Corporation (HDC). The company revealed all services except accommodation will be available when the island is opened to the public. As such, public toilets, changing rooms and huts as well as water sports facilities will be made available to the public. Accommodation blocks will also be developed under the second phase of the project.
The utilities services of the island are being developed jointly by Male’ Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC), Fenaka Corporation and State Electric Company (STELCO). The companies are working to complete the utilities services of the island this month. Additionally, tree planting programmes and landscaping work are also being conducted by the companies.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih visited Kudagiri to observe the progress of the project last month, while Vice President Faisal Naseem has been touring the island every week with senior officials of the state-owned companies.
Residents of the Greater Male’ Region currently do not have a convenient picnic location. The residents in the capital region lost the only picnic island within the accessible proximity following the redevelopment of Kudabandos as a resort in 2013.