KARACHI: Residents near famed downtown ‘Food Street’ on Karachi’s Burns Road protested against eateries and encroachments, filling entire roadways, walkways, and even by-lanes.
A significant group of locals stopped Burns Road’s major artery, demanding the clearance of encroachments. They said that the encroachments in the name of “Food Street” had made their lives miserable.
They used to be limited to their homes after 7 p.m. because encroachments would appear and take over the entire road, sidewalk, and even by-lane. They further mentioned that clashes and brawls would frequently break out between local people and food stall operators.
The neighbours said that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and the district administration took bribes from restaurant owners to erect encroachments and that K-Electric officials provided illegal connections to the booths.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner Aram Bagh arrived at the scene and promised homeowners that the unlawful encroachments would be removed.
The District South administration, commanded by the assistant commissioner, conducted an operation to remove the roadways, alleyways, and sidewalks that had been encroached by footstalls.
Billboards placed in front of restaurants were also demolished, as were tables, chairs, and other furnishings.
Following the operation, the locals stopped their protest.
Maria Ghanchi