CTP devises plan for winter rush in Murree

Facilitating tourists stuck in snow; Pakistan Army on alert

RAWALPINDI: Amid rush of tourists to enjoy snowfall, the City Traffic Police (CTP) have devised a plan to ensure that all visitors to Murree reach their destination without any difficulties.

The traffic plan has been formulated with the assistance of different institutions including district police, Rescue 1122, Town Municipal Authority (TMA) Murree, National Highway Authority (NHA).

In this regard, the CTP spokesperson said that during the ongoing snowfall season, as many as 17,000 vehicles, on average, were entering Murree daily. Due to the enormous number of visitors to the hill station, he added that the visitors were facing difficulties parking their vehicles and several cases of vehicles slipping on the roads due to snow were also reported.

Under the traffic plan, up to 200 traffic wardens have been deployed in Murree who would ensure a smooth flow of traffic for the people. The personnel will perform round the clock duties in three shifts and Rescue 1122 and Pakistan Army will remain on-alert to cope up with any untoward situation.

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Citing the measures taken for keeping the wardens safe from the effects of freezing temperature, the spokesperson said that the personnel would be given boots, warm clothes, and braziers. Besides this, they would be served with hot soup at regular intervals.

He added that the Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Muhammad Bin Ashraf would personally oversee all the arrangements and if required, more wardens would be deployed on the tourist spot.

NHA would perform the task of sprinkling salt on the snow to melt it down so it can be easily removed from the roads in Murree, he said.

The spokesperson suggested traveling to the hill station on vehicles only running on petrol or diesel and added that the visitors must also check the condition of tyres and heaters. No CNG powered vehicles should be used for reaching the hill station during snowfall.

He added that there should be a sufficient quantity of food items for every passenger in the vehicle.

He also urged the tourists to observe traffic rules properly to resolve traffic issues and avoid traffic jams on the roads of Murree. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2020.