People head to Murree in cars and even on motorcycle for enjoying snowfall. PHOTO: AFP
RAWALPINDI: As the first snowfall of winter blanketed Murree, hundreds of tourists flocked to the hill station. But the sudden rush over the weekend led to heavy traffic jams.
The snow and rain had made roads slippery, which exacerbated the situation.
Many drivers who had not taken proper precautions could be seen slipping off the roads. Many others were seen stuck in long queues.
A traffic official said that around 30,000 vehicles had streamed into Murree from the old highway and the new expressway over the weekend, whereas the hill station only has parking for around 4,000 vehicles.
He said the large number of vehicles illegally parked on either side of the narrow roads further reduced the space available for vehicles to move, adding to the gridlock.
Having been stuck in long queues for extended periods of time, many families complained that their vehicles ran out of fuel or that their cars had broken down.
Meanwhile, a Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) official said that all resorts including Bhurban, New Murree, Kashmir Point, Pindi Point, Mall Road and Ayubia were packed with tourists.
Wajid Sati, a spokesperson for Rawalpindi City Traffic Police, which also controls traffic in Murree, said that they had deputed 150 wardens, four inspectors, and two deputy superintendents of traffic police in Murree to manage the flow of traffic.
A control room had been set up in the Sunny Bank area and the chief traffic officer for the region was also at the hill station to monitor the traffic situation.
In response to a question about problems faced by visitors, Satti said that wardens were trying to help visitors stranded in the snow or in long queues however they could.
In this regard, he pointed out that traffic wardens were using snow bikes, recently provided by Punjab government, to provide fuel to cars, and to transport mechanics and stranded visitors to-and-fro.
He added that wardens were also using chains to remove vehicles
stuck on the roads.
Satti further said that the traffic police set up a control room at Sunny Bank area with a helpline offering help to the visitors in the bad weather conditions.
Keep tanks full
Meanwhile, Murree Assistant Commissioner Arifullah Awan has said that all the roads leading to Murree were open, despite the snowfall.
“People are welcome to visit the resort town and enjoy the snow in Murree. We have kept the roads open,” he said adding that the administration has the machinery required to clear the snow.
Additionally, he said that roads were being salted to de-ice them.
Awan, however, urged the public to make sure that they visit the hill station with a full tank of fuel.
“People coming to enjoy the snow are advised to keep their tanks full,” he said while pointing to the long queue of stationary cars.
He further urged visitors to bring proper winter gear including warm clothes and shoes. “Please don’t wear heels or dress shoes with leather soles.”
WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP AND OUR CORRESPONDENT
Published in The Express Tribune, January 9th, 2017.
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