Port Grand, not so grand

I’m just happy that I got back from the much talked-about Port Grand without any major respiratory issues.

The mega entertainment and food complex, where Governor of Sindh Dr Ishratul Ebad claimed people would find peace and comfort, turned out to be quite the opposite. In order to catch up with the rest of Karachi, my family also decided to visit the recreational project that hopes to become a top tourist destination of the country. After having heard numerous positive tales of the food street there, it was only natural that we had high expectations of the place.

Therefore, when I was told Sunday night we will be visiting the place, I jumped in jubilation. Due to no parking space anywhere near the venue, we were told to get off the car and start walking towards the gate. There we joined scores of other people, mostly families, in the march. Finally, after a good ten-minute walk on the road, we came close to the gate of Port Grand only to be greeted by an ever-growing line for tickets.

The queue took a while to reach the ticket counter but this wait did not reduce our eagerness to go to what many claim to be “Thailand in Pakistan.” As we walked closer and closer to the main food street, the swarms of people choked us more and more. With barely enough space to walk, we pushed through people while checking out the restaurants and coffee shops on the left.  Alfresco dining places did not have enough chairs while the other restaurants were full, not accommodating any more customers. Therefore, for an hour or two we were forced to walk around without giving our tired legs a break.

As if this wasn’t enough disappointment, I was further shocked to find out that a small water bottle at even a random stall cost Rs75. The exorbitant prices of food items were not justified as the food quality was sub-par. Those in charge should keep a limit on how many people should be allowed in the food street at a time, so that the place doesn’t get packed like sardines in a can. This would help people like me enjoy the beauty of a harbour-based social and recreational space.