TPF to check overcharging, rude vendors

Murree district administration devises Tourist Protection Force for the security of visitors

RAWALPINDI: With storekeepers and other workers in Murree developing a reputation for being rude to visitors and regularly fleecing them, the Rawalpindi district administration has put together a volunteer group to protect tourists from overcharging at the hill station.

As a result, people converging on the urbanised hill station to enjoy the winter snowfall will be protected by the Tourist Protection Force (TPF).

The TPF has been revived by the Civil Defence Department (CDD) on the directions of the Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Saifullah Dogar.

A circular issued by the Murree Assistant Commissioner on Monday said that the TPF will have the power to take action against vendors who charge exorbitant prices from visitors.

The circular particularly mentions vendors offering horse rides and air-gun shooting of overcharging tourists and being rude when people protest the high rates.

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The 15-member force will don a proper uniform and will be made up of local youth. They will patrol the main streets and markets of the resort town on foot from 7am until 2am in shifts.

The TPF will also act on complaints of harassment or mistreatment by visitors. They will have the power to detain suspects and then hand them over to the police.

In this regard, CDD District Officer Talib Hussain said that the restoration of the force is producing positive results and complaints of tourists are being resolved immediately.

He told The Express Tribune that the force also has the authority to take action against hotels that use gas cylinders in rooms.

However, Hussain explained the local police station will register a case and complete all legal formalities.

The official further said that additional personnel were being inducted in the TPF owing to the increasing footfall in Murree.

At the moment, the 15-member squad is equipped with mobile phones, the civil defence district chief said, adding the administration is considering equipping each patrol party with walkie-talkie sets to improve communication in the hilly area.

Hussain continued that after successful experimentation in Murree, TPF’s scope could be extended to other tourist areas such as Bhurban, Ayubia, Nathia Gali, Jheka Gali and Lawrence Gul.

He claimed that after the formation of the unit, the ratio of the public complaints had reduced by 80 per cent as compared with the last year and no incident of a quarrel between locals and tourists has been reported yet.

Hussain said the district administration would give commendation certificates and prizes to TPF members after the end of the snow season.

New rules for horsemen

Owing to the influx of visitors to the hill station, the Murree assistant commissioner has enforced new rules and regulations for vendors offering horse rides.

These horse-ride vendors, known to charge exorbitant rates and being rude to unsuspecting visitors — who allow their children to enjoy the ride, only to find out later that it costs Rs700 but haggle down to Rs500 or Rs400 calling the visitors cheap, stingy and other such names.

The administration has further fixed a maximum charge of Rs200 for a horse ride. As per a notification issued by the assistant commissioner, there will be a complete ban on mistreatment and overcharging from visitors and violators will have to pay heavy fines or their licences will be suspended.

The notification further stated that trainers will have to get their horses registered while they will be restricted to a particular spot and route.

They will not be allowed to take rides towards the Governor House and the Safari Train.

The horse trainers will be obliged to treat visitors politely and give adequate time on a ride.

The copies of the notification, both in English and Urdu, have been distributed amongst horse trainers by CDD. Further, the Murree Municipal committee will also fix rates of a single-round of horse riding with the consultation of the trainers.

The announcement of new rates is likely to be made by Wednesday.

Traffic advisory for Murree visitors

Following the snowfall in Murree and its surrounding areas, the Rawalpindi City Traffic Police (CTP) has issued a travel advisory for visitors heading to the hill station.

They have been advised to ensure there is a low pressure of air in their tyres and to keep their fuel tank full.

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A CTP spokesperson said that a dedicated 24/7 emergency helpline 051-9269200 is available for tourists in any untoward situation.

The CTP official further said that they had increased the number of traffic wardens, junior traffic wardens - under the supervision of inspectors - which had been deployed at all key points of the hill station.

Moreover, they have designated several points for car parking.

Several main roads including Kashmir Point, Mall Road, Guldana Road and other roads had been closed for two-way traffic to ease traffic flow.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2020.