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KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday took up a petition against the government’s decision to close Karachi’s Burns Road food street for traffic in the evening.
Residences of Burns Road moved the petition at Sindh High Court (SHC). After a preliminary hearing, a two-judge bench headed by Justice Irfan Saadat Khan directed the petitioners to satisfy the court as to maintainability of the petition at the next hearing.
The petitioners’ counsel stated that people can’t even ride their motorcycles back home after 6 pm when the road is closed for traffic. On this occasion, the SHC judge remarked the residence of Karachi is already reeling under stress as several issues gripped the city. “What is wrong with Karachiites dining out with their children?” he questioned.
Justice Saadat said, “Go and look at Lahore. There are food streets everywhere.” The petitioner’s counsel said, “There are hardly eight to 10 eateries. Why are 50,000 residents of the area being punished?” asked the lawyer.
At this, the court directed the residents to submit affidavits if they face hardships due to the closure of the road. “The petition appears to be non-maintainable,” the court observed, directing the petitioner to forward his arguments to satisfy the court as to the maintainability of the petition.
Earlier, the District Municipal Corporation (DMC) South had decided to turn Karachi’s famous street Burns Road, known for its food variety, into a traffic-free food street.
The deputy commissioner (DC) for the South district had constituted a team of nine members in this regard, which will oversee the transformation of an informal yet renowned Karachi spot.
The constituted nine-member team will present its recommendations on the cleanliness, sewerage and beautification of Burns Road. The deputy commissioner informed that the food street will be lit with ornate lights, while new tiles will be laid on the ground after road repair work is completed.
During the meeting, it was noted that the classic buildings constructed pre-partition will be mended and renovated, while the furniture and signboards, inside and out of the cafes and restaurants will be designed to look the part.
Around the evening, the food street will be rendered traffic-free while the general traffic and pedestrians passing by will be provided a detour for them.
