News Desk |
The city of Karachi may lose its popular food street “Do Darya” within the next two months. According to reports, Defence Housing Authority is reclaiming the land for the development of upcoming high-end residential and commercial plots in DHA Phase VIII.
The 1.5-kilometer long food street is running alongside the Arabian Sea that offers a fine dine-in experience with sea breeze and scenic beauty to people and foreigners visiting.With its overwhelming popularity, the spot became a trademark of Karachi after Port Grand.
Over the span of eight years, a long road of 3.5 kilometers stretching from Village restaurant to Do Darya underwent the major transformation, along with the construction of smooth roads, placement of signboards; the road was adorned with street lights.
The food street was operational since 2010 and was a treat for the people of Karachi who sought tangible means of recreation at a time when bloodshed, violence, and fear marred the city.
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The location of Do Darya in Phase VIII of the Clifton was a stranded location that was considered the den of criminals and drug mafias.
https://twitter.com/SherySyed_/status/988393986514599937
The authorities were planning to develop the place, offered an idea to the restaurant owners to begin their businesses that will bring people to the place.
Omg I can’t believe I’m hearing Karachi's most famous place of eatery "Do Darya" will be closing down!! In February on my first night of arrival in Pakistan I went to #dodarya and it was so beautiful. Really gutted to hear this sad news. #Karachi #DoDarya 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/xOuXC5mjhf
— Noreen Khan (@DJNoreenKhan) April 23, 2018
Over the span of eight years, a long road of 3.5 kilometers stretching from Village restaurant to Do Darya underwent the major transformation, along with the construction of smooth roads, placement of signboards; the road was adorned with street lights.
The place is said to have been acquired for giant real estate investors including foreigner Chinese investors.A long chain of restaurants offered employment to 5000 workers including cook, guards, and valets.
The restaurants were operating under a license agreement with the Defense Housing Authority. Tensions between the authorities and the restaurant owners were brewing since 2013.In 2010, few restaurant owners entered an agreement to operate eateries for two years with DHA.
According to reports, Defence Housing Authority is reclaiming the land for the development of upcoming high-end residential and commercial plots in DHA Phase VIII.
A restaurant operator talking to media informed that the land was given on lease by the authority. The authority retracted their assurance of giving an extension to lease for 20-25 years.Consequently, restaurant owners obtained a stay order for four years in 2014 from Sindh High Court. The order will expire in 2018.
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The restaurants have started to vacate the place as per the SHC orders. DHA has started to take over the place and have posted their guards in the vicinity. “Since this is not a commercial strip, the residents who are going to reside opposite Do Darya had reservations about the late night hustle bustle there,” a source said to media.
The eviction letter issued by DHA to the restaurant owners back in 2013 said, “You are hereby required to stop the licensed business and vacate the area where you were licensed to conduct your business,”Karachites are dejected with the news of the closure of Do Darya. The citizens are hoping and pleading the authorities to reverse the decision.