Thousands rush to Murree to enjoy snowfall

Extra contingents of traffic police reach hill station to manage rush of vehicles

RAWALPINDI:

With schools shut, and holiday season here, Murree was bursting at its seams due to huge influx of tourists.

Families swarmed to the most popular hill station on Sunday, as traffic officials recorded more than 31,000 vehicles entering the limits of their precinct over the weekend.

The streets of the town designed by the British over 200 years ago can accommodate only 4,000 vehicles in Murree. Subsequently, there were Long queues of vehicles on different roads of Murree with people waiting inside to get some space to move forward.

The traffic police have summoned contingents from other districts to manage the rush.

Further, the traffic police have also issued an advisory for the visitors in which the road-users were advised to drive patiently as the traffic in Murree runs on both sides of the road. Any attempt to overtake could cause a kilometres-long logjam.

They have been strictly advised to refrain from forming double queues while waiting for parking space and ensure the use of fog lights after sunset.

The visitors have been directed not to take photos after pulling the vehicle on the side in any location and park vehicles only in designated areas to avoid causing traffic congestion.

Police 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.

There should be a sufficient quantity of food items for every passenger in the vehicle, the advisory suggested.

Police 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, December 28^th, 2020.