The Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has begun preparations to open the Kudagiri Picnic Island to the public in November.
Minister of State for National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Akram Kamaluddin said the final preparations for the opening of the picnic island are underway. The decision to open the picnic island to the public on July 26 was postponed to build additional facilities and further develop the landscape by planting more trees for shade. As such, Akram said a special priority is given to planting trees on the island. He said as part of efforts planting programmes were carried out, adding 95% of the facilities on the island have now been completed. He expressed hope to open the picnic island to the public in November.
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 accessible proximity following the redevelopment of Kudabandos as a resort. It is an electoral pledge of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to develop a picnic island near Male' City. The project is a joint effort of five government companies.
The master plan of the picnic island was developed by Housing Development Corporation (HDC). Eight hectares of land were reclaimed by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) for the development of the picnic island. The utility services of the island are being developed jointly by Male’ Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC), Fenaka Corporation Limited, and State Electric Company Limited (STELCO). The companies are working to complete the utility services of the island this month. Additionally, tree planting programmes and landscaping work are also being conducted by the companies.
The government is carrying out the project in two phases. 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 be developed under the second phase of the project.