President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has officially inaugurated the Kudagiri Picnic Island.

The picnic island was opened for public on Saturday.

Kudagiri is designated as a picnic island and developed for the residents of the greater Malé region as a special pledge of President Solih.

First Lady Fazna Ahmed, Vice President Faisal Naseem, government officials, and heads of state-owned enterprises joined President Solih at the inauguration ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Solih noted that the tropical "Jazeera" lifestyle was intertwined with our lives and stressed that the opportunity to enjoy a picnic with our families on a picnic island had been lost ten years ago with the allocation of Kuda Bandos for an alternative purpose. He added that his administration had restored the opportunity with the opening of Kudagiri Picnic Island.

Noting that people of all ages would visit the island, President Solih asked picnickers to exercise utmost respect for one another. He also asked them to preserve the island as a happy and tranquil environment.

The President also requested that the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to make the necessary changes to the island based on feedback from picnickers and announced that HDC would develop a smaller island dedicated to scout and girl-guide activities.

Vice President Faisal Naseem also spoke at the ceremony. He reiterated the need for the Malé region's residents to enjoy a "Jazeera" setting and added that Kudagiri Picnic Island would strengthen familial bonds and allow them to enjoy quality time with family and friends.

Kudagiri Picnic Island also includes features, ease of access, and services for disabled persons. It features recreational options, including futsal and volleyball courts, water slides, and a children's park. The island also has a mosque, changing rooms, retail shops, barbecue pits, and huts, in addition to safety and security measures.

HDC gave 300 people the opportunity to visit the island this Saturday.

Speaking at a press conference, Director Marketing and Sales of HDC, Niushad Shareef stated that people will have to make advance bookings.

Niushad advised to make sure to confirm the ID card number when booking.

In addition he said that bookings will be limited to a group of seven people per person, adding that the decision was taken to give more people the opportunity to go to Kudagiri.

Bookings can be done via the special hotline of Kudagiri, email and HDC website.

The purpose of the picnic island is to provide a pleasant time for the people. The ferry to Kudagiri costs MVR 25 per person.

People who visit Kudagiri on weekdays will have to pay an entrance fee of MVR 50. Children below the age of 12 will have to pay an entrance fee of MVR 25.

The press conference also saw the Assistant Manager PR of HDC, Ahmed Mimrah highlighting that it is prohibited to bring in sharp objects and barbecue equipment into the island.

Mimrah noted that island will provide basic services and picnic equipment for those who are visiting the island.

Developed on a total of 8 hectares of reclaimed land, Kudagiri is developed to three star standard. The island has a bay of 1.5 hectares along with a beach area.

Kudagiri picnic island is a 10-minute boat ride away from Male’.

HDC states that the island will be able to accommodate 500 to 600 people at a time.