KARACHI: Driving around Defence roads one can suddenly feel a change of scenery and environment upon reaching Bukhari Commercial Area in DHA Phase VI. There is something quite pleasant about this place.

The lights, including traffic signal lights, seem brighter. The light poles, too, are shining new and they have pretty designs painted on the bottom halves. Somewhere you see flowers and butterflies on them, somewhere birds and fish, somewhere penguins.

You see paved footpaths with colourful panels. They are even and smooth as they are wheelchair-friendly. There are fire hydrants there also, which are charged 24/7.

There are greenbelts, wooden benches, extra seating areas including outside eateries and designated parking areas created on open plots covered with pebbles. There is new and clear signage to make sure you don’t lose your way. The roads have clear line markings which include the zebra crossings.

Shiny lights, greenbelts, paved footpaths and fire hydrants gave a new look to Bukhari Commercial

The signals are also pedestrian-friendly. Those not used to such signals can find little boards nearby displaying directions on how to use these signals because many may be new to them.

After six months of renovation and repair work, the upgraded Bukhari Commercial Area was opened just recently, in the end of Ramazan. It showcases the hard work of Member Councillor for Cantonment Board Clifton’s (CBC) Ward 5, Rehan Iqbal Maggoo, who also did the same kind of work with Chhota Bukhari a year or so ago.

Speaking to Dawn, Mr Maggoo said that before laying the new roads in Bara Bukhari, which is laid out over 53 acres of land, they had to make sure that all the underground work was complete.

“We made sure that the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, the Sui Southern Gas Company, the pipes, cables and wires were all laid out properly so that no one would be digging up these roads for repairs or maintenance,” he said.

He added that the sudden change in the environment had also brought about a change in people’s mindsets. They are taking care not to litter about. “We have also placed dustbins in the area for this purpose,” he said.

“The change has also resulted in property prices going up in this area,” he added.

He also expressed the hope that Bukhari Commercial would now serve as a model for others to replicate. “I’m truly grateful to our CBC president Brigadier Shahid Zia to have listened to my ideas and giving me a freehand to be able to do all this. I’m also hopeful that others will see this as a model to renovate their areas using their own ideas,” he concluded.

Header image: A man sitting on the bench enjoys the vibes at Bukhari Commercial.—Fahim Siddiqi / White Star

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2024