Children enjoy closed Malé roads

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.