Children enjoy closed Malé roads

Several roads in the congested capital were closed to traffic on Friday morning as part of a new initiative launched by the Malé City Council to encourage children to play outside.

Four roads in each of the four wards were closed from 6:30am to 10:30am for the first day of the ‘Dhulaheyo, Hashiheyo Avatteriya‘ (Fit and Healthy Neighbour) programme.

Children came out to run and play games as traffic police officers blocked entrances.

Mayor Shifa Mohamed told the press the city council will seek public opinion to continue the programme on Friday mornings, which is the start of the weekend in the Maldives.

Easing traffic congestion and closing designated roads in the densely-packed capital island were campaign pledges of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Seven narrow alleys were closed to traffic in 2016 by the previous administration, which also built several parks and a new artificial beach in Malé. The pedestrianised roads were “streetscaped” with benches and potted plants.

Magu bandhu kohfa kudhinnah magah nukumevey goih hedheema Dhanburuhmagun miadhu iveynee ufaaveri adeh. Kudhinah magu libigen #helifelive ulhey than eba feney @etna295 @schamau @MaleCitymv #meethisalhi pic.twitter.com/f6lZOA7nIP

— Leela (@leelamad) February 15, 2019

Photo from Twitter