Illegal high-rises popping up in Murree

RAWALPINDI:

Illegal construction of high-rise buildings is going on unabated in Murree.

According to a report submitted to the Rawalpindi district administration, there are a total of 1,522 multi-storey buildings in Murree and of the, 52 buildings were constructed illegally and without the approval of maps.

According to the report, political figures and influential officers and their close relatives were owners of most of these buildings.

The report said that despite a ban, the construction of buildings without the approval of maps was still going on in Murree.

The report said that Murree has 4,200 parking points for tourists. Each parking area has the capacity for vehicles according to its size.

It said that in Murree, public toilets have also been constructed in all recreational areas including Mall Road, Kashmir Point, Pindi Point and chair lift areas.

Apart from this, the report said washrooms have also been constructed in the Murree Cantonment area.

It said that there are 215 small and big hotels and restaurants in Murree and they have a total capacity to accommodate 24,239. The report was compiled after the Murree tragedy last year.

The report stated that there was no uniformity in room charges by hotels and restaurants in Murree. Sources said that every hotel has its own rate as the administration has not fixed the rates for hotels, restaurants and motels in Murree.

There is no fixed rate for food stalls either in Murree and according to tourists, food sellers charge exorbitantly.

They said that arguments between hotel owners, food sellers and customers on overcharging often lead to altercations.

The district administration had formed a force consisting of 12 volunteers of the Civil Defence to stop thefts and protect tourists in case of an altercation.

Sources said that the particular security force personnel, being locals, show neutrality in case of a fight between tourists and stall holders and shopkeepers.

The report has called for the need to take strict measures for the convenience and protection of tourists.

The Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench has reserved its verdict after completing the hearing of identical petitions highlighting a host of issues being faced by the hill station. The decision on the petitions is likely to be pronounced in the second week of September after the summer vacation.

Earlier, LHC judge Abdul Aziz observed that Murree's environment had been destroyed by some elements but the institutions concerned were unmoved.

The judge had said in his remarks that authorities and institutions were nowhere to be seen when the people were dying due to heavy snowfall in Murree.

The high court had lashed out at the Murree Development Authority for negligence, questioning the role of agencies when the roads of the hill station were blocked and thousands of people were stranded.

During the hearing, the lawyer said that according to the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK), Rs1.5 billion was acquired for the construction of a parking plaza in Murree.

In response, Justice Aziz criticised the authorities, questioning where the allocated funds went. “When the contract for the parking plaza was confirmed and the funds allocated, it was all over. This money does not belong to the rich it belongs to the worker [labourer].”

The high court blamed the authorities for neglect adding that they have “eaten this country” and are still not satisfied.

Justice Aziz also lambasted the department of forestation for the ongoing deforestation within the region, “we steal wood and set it on fire.”

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 16^th, 2022.