Keamari gets tasteful makeover with 'Fish Food Street'

A new culinary destination has opened in Keamari, as the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) unveiled the city's first 'Fish Food Street', designed to promote local cuisine, tourism, and cultural vibrancy in one of the oldest seaside districts of the metropolis.

The inauguration ceremony on Sunday drew a large crowd, including residents, foodies, and dignitaries from across the political spectrum. Among those present were Deputy Mayor Karachi Salman Abdullah Murad, MPA Asif Khan, MPA Liaquat Askani, Deputy Parliamentary Leader Dil Muhammad, Mauripur Town Chairman Humayun Khan, Vice Chairman Asif Kausar, City Council members, and other elected representatives.

City Mayor Murtaza Wahab, who formally inaugurated the food street, said that Keamari's Fish Food Street is more than just a culinary hotspot - it's a symbol of revitalisation. "A new centre for entertainment and taste has been established for the people of Karachi," he said, highlighting the colorful aesthetic of the area with its vibrant umbrellas, decorative lighting, and inviting nighttime ambiance.

The mayor further stated that the food street offers a rich variety of local and traditional cuisine, particularly fresh seafood and BBQ, catering to both residents and tourists. Comfortable seating, family-friendly arrangements, and scenic surroundings aim to enhance the overall visitor experience.

Mayor Wahab explained that the project includes 62,000 square feet of paving blocks, 35,000 square feet of tuff tiles, 25 Victorian-style light poles, and 1,400 running feet of new sewerage lines. Two grand arch-style entrance gates with signage, 3,000 feet of kerbstone, 100,000 square feet of road patchwork, and the installation of 500 colourful umbrellas add to the charm and functionality of the space.

"This project gives citizens a unique recreational space where aesthetics and accessibility come together," he said. "Under the leadership of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, such people-centric projects are being developed across Karachi without discrimination."

He stressed that the Fish Food Street fulfills a long-standing demand of Keamari residents, who had hoped for a food street on par with Burns Road.

"Promises were made before, but never kept," Mayor Wahab said. "Now, under PPP's governance, we're not just making announcements - we're delivering."

Looking ahead, the city mayor shared additional development plans for Keamari and adjacent areas.

He announced progress on rerouting heavy port traffic away from residential areas via Shahrah-e-Bhutto to Kathore. The section from Qayyumabad to Quaidabad is already operational, serving more than 12,000 vehicles daily, while the Kathore segment will be inaugurated by Bilawal on Dec 31.

He also cited the restoration of key infrastructure, including Netty Jetty, Jinnah Bridge, and ICI Bridge, all undertaken during the current PPP-led government.

In addition to transport and food infrastructure, Mayor Wahab highlighted improvements in health, water supply, sanitation, and sports facilities. He announced that a 100mgd canal from Hub Dam will be inaugurated on August 14, bringing much-needed water to Keamari and Karachi's western districts. He also referenced the TP-3 sewage treatment plant in Mauripur, being developed to support both environmental conservation and local fishermen.

Health services are also expanding in the area, with a SICVD satellite center recently opened in Baldia Town to provide cardiac care close to home. For recreation and sports, a new sports complex in Mauripur Town is expected to open by year's end, while a Rs1.2 billion complex in Baldia will be completed by March 2026.

Reaffirming his commitment to inclusive development, the mayor said, "Karachi is a beautiful bouquet of communities. It's not language or ethnicity that divides us - it's the mindset of division that must be rejected." He called on all political parties to work together on a "Charter of Karachi" for unified action on the city's challenges.

The mayor announced the restoration of six historic markets in Karachi to preserve the city's heritage, adding, "I was born here, and I will continue working for this city like it's my own family. Karachi's revival is underway - and everyone is invited to be a part of it."