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Kudagiri opening date still not certain: State minister

The Planning Ministry's State Minister Akram Kamaluddin has said the date on which Kudagiri Picnic Island would be opened to the public is not yet certain.

The development of a picnic island for Male' residents is a presidential pledge of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. The Planning Ministry awarded the development of a picnic island in Kudagiri lagoon to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) last year for MVR 41.4 million. MTCC was granted 150 days to complete the project.

Speaking to AVAS on Tuesday, State Minister Akram said some media reports quoting him as saying the picnic island would be opened this month are false. However, the Planning Ministry is working to open the island within this month, he said, adding that it is difficult to give a specific date on which the island would be opened.

"We are looking to open it as soon as possible," Akram explained.

The government initially decided to open the picnic island on this year's Independence Day. The date was later changed to November 11 in connection with Republic Day. However, the target was not achieved.