Murree-Galiyat road opened to traffic
Businesses reopened after the main roads of Murree were cleared of snow. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The road leading from Murree to Galiyat has been finally opened for traffic flow after three days of closure.
The city traffic police have allowed tourists and locals to use a single lane for now until the road is completely cleared.
According to the traffic police, the Abbottabad-Barian road had been closed for traffic after landslides damaged the road at various locations. After the blockade, vehicles going to Barian, Ayubia, Nathia Gali and Abbottabad had been stuck at various locations. The landslide not only destroyed the land routes but also disrupted the communication and electricity network in the area.
The road had been completely devastated due to heavy rainfall and land sliding. Murree administration stated that this was the only road leading from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa via Murree Galiyat and was destroyed due to landslides at Barian. Rain-induced landslides had mired the road due to which the road was completely blocked for traffic flow.
National Highway Authority brought in heavy machinery to remove the debris from the roads to clear them on an urgent basis. However, despite their efforts, it took them three days to clear the roads so that vehicles could pass through.
Moreover, the Murree traffic police have stated that people travelling through Murree Galiyat and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should drive carefully as the road is still slippery. They claimed that other connecting roads of Murree have been cleared however traffic is still slow due to slippage leading to traffic congestion.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 4th, 2022.