PG has been built with over Rs one billion exclusive investment by GLC. The land has been leased by KPT to GLC on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis. This unique project of its kind in Pakistan has been designed and developed by leading US Architects, NEWWORK of New Jersey.
Port Grand project, that stretches along the 1000 ft. Karachi's ancient 19th century native jetty bridge, spreads over an area of 200,000 sq. ft. The one kilometer bridge has been transformed into an entertainment and food enclave housing numerous eateries totalling 40,000 sq. ft of climate-controlled area and space for kiosks of exotic Pakistani and foreign food and a variety of beverages. Once operational this project would provide direct employment to around 1000 persons and indirectly to several thousands.
Work on the project commenced in 2005 and it was expected to be completed by 2008 but the old native jetty bridge was in a very bad shape after being abandoned for any transportation usage and it was also set to be demolished when Port Grand project was conceived and ancient 19th century monument was preserved for generations to come. GLC had to rebuild the whole 1 mile Old Napier Mole Bridge that includes removal of old deck slab, cleaning of rust and scaling of existing structure, strengthening of sub-structure and laying of new deck slab. This all work took around 2 years to completely revamped the bridge thus delayed the project for around 2 years. Like all other under-the-bridge abandoned spaces it was also badly encroached and encroachers were not ready to vacate the place which was another cause of delay in the project.
Port Grand is country's only seaside food and entertainment enclave, which would offer matchless attractions for the whole family to enjoy together. It is expected to attract around 4 to 5 thousand people daily from across the country. PG has been built utilising all the latest technological trends used world over. All basic facilities have been incorporated in the project to facilitate the visitors.
Port Grand is located on a site that is very significant to the history of Karachi and also for playing a crucial role in making it a city it is today; ie The Napier Mole Bridge and the surrounding port. The site was previously an abandoned site, home to drug addicts and the bridge was scheduled to be demolished until the plans for Port Grand were born.
The courage and efforts of GLC need appreciation for resurrection of history and heritage as it has not only preserved the old Napier Mole Bridge but has also converted it into a world class tourists spot that would ultimately attract millions of people from all over the world.
Port Grand is an effort to revive the culture and traditions of old Karachi as well as celebrate it as the City of Lights. It would surely revive the harbour culture, ie seafood, boating around the mangroves, pedestrian friendly harbour front experience etc. Port Grand will maintain international standard of food hygiene and will be fully protected by high tech security solution. Port Grand also features a trading post for retail and fast food including international franchises; a floating restaurant, children play area and a Cineplex with different cafes.
It would be a mega tourist attraction inspired by famous waterfront experiences such as Pier 39 in San Francisco, Quincy Market in Boston and 3rd Street LA USA. It would be a pedestrian friendly strip on the harbour front. It would not just be a recreational spot but would also provide immense learning experience to children and citizens at large by being in close proximity to ships. Visitors would experience loading, unloading of cargo from impressive vessels that arrive from ports all over the world. Equally fascinating would be the opportunity to watch the cargo train go by on the tracks parallel to Napier Bridge.
GLC has taken special measure to preserve the over hundred years old banyon tree under which the Tavern sat. PG has taken measures to preserve this tree and has installed a water system in its branches for regular washing. A special board would be installed with this tree educating the visitors about this ancient tree.
Conservation of the rejuvenation of the Mangroves around the Port Grand Project has been an act of social responsibility while building the project. The mangroves are finally being given the attention they deserve. Port Grand will soon install solar lights to illuminate the mangroves around the project. Special Eco tours from PG's Walker's Pier will allow the visitors to experience beauty and get educated on their importance in our eco system.
For a city of around 18 million citizens there are not much recreational places where citizens could find some peace and comfort as well as the entertainment. Port Grand would fulfil the desperate need for entertainment in a city as large and important as Karachi, it would give the city and its citizens a reason to be proud of and celebrate their culture and identity.
KPT as well as the Ministry of Ports and Shipping have been very supportive for making the Port Grand a reality. Having observed the challenges being faced GLC in building this project and mega efforts put in by GLC which had far surpassed their expectations qualitatively and quantitatively all governmental bodies and department played their respective role in this project.