‘Safe tourist programme’ approved for Murree

Plan envisages foolproof security, checking of vehicles and 24-hour snow clearing

RAWALPINDI:

An extensive tourist programme has been approved to ensure the complete safety of the visiting families in Murree and the adjacent Galiyat region before the start of the winter tourism season in the next month.

Under the programme, arrangements have been made for security, checking of vehicles and 24-hour work of snow clearing in the district where standard "Tourism Services Rules" will also be regulated. Kaghan-style bylaws are also being implemented in Murree to promote tourism.

Meanwhile, during the judicial week starting from October 31, the most important decision of the case regarding the Murree tragedy of January this year is also expected to be announced by the Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court.

The winter tourist season in Murree will start in the first 10 days of November it will be at its peak from December 1 to February 28. Snow enthusiasts flock to Murree in record numbers from December 25 to February 28.

The traffic police will not allow more than the specified number of vehicles to enter Murree during the snowy season while no vehicle will be allowed to enter the district beyond 17 miles of the Toll Plaza than the number the district administration and traffic police officers may determine.

According to the report of the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner, there are a total of 215 small and big hotels in Murree, while around 150 local citizens rent out their houses and sitting areas. Hotels and guesthouses in Murree have a total accommodation capacity of 24,239 tourists under the tourism standard policy.

According to the legal standard, the parking areas established in Murree can park 4,200 vehicles. The rest of the vehicles are parked on the side of the road in adjacent alleyways, which creates problems.

A uniformed civil defence force will also be deployed to protect tourists from clashes in Murree during the winter season.

The civil defence force, which will consist of local youth, will also have walkie-talkies, and batons.

The personnel of this force will be deployed in different shifts in the main markets of the city. The force will consist of 15 civil defence volunteers.

Another 50 traffic wardens will be sent to Murree to control the traffic and they will remain deployed in the city throughout the season.

In Murree, the rent will be fixed for rooms in hotels with heaters and without heaters. The hotel rents will be monitored throughout the season under the supervision of Murree's additional deputy commissioner.

Special duties of the special branch of police are being imposed for monitoring fares. These teams will collect information about the fares from the hotel management in each hotel and also from the tourist families daily and submit their reports to the authorities.

In all the markets of Murree, food rates will also be fixed while all types of entertainment will also have separate rates. These rates and fees will be posted in bold letters on banners and displayed at prominent places.

It will be mandatory to install the price list at the entertainment places including hotels and food stalls. Member of the National Assembly from Murree, Sadaqat Ali Abbasi, said that a lot of lessons have been learned from the Murree tragedy. An additional police force is also being deployed this year. The number of police stations in Murree has increased from one to three.

Relevant chemicals have been procured in large quantities for clearing the streets of snow while five snow removal vehicles will be working 24 hours during the snowfall. Additional vehicles and employees will also be deployed for snow removal during the snowfall.

Overcharging, and extortion of tourists during the winter season will be punished. Upon receiving the complaint, immediate action will be taken against the concerned hotel or shopkeeper. Weather, snowfall and route reports will be issued to keep the public informed during the snow season. The tourist families have also been instructed to keep fuel, blankets and drinking water in their vehicles while coming to the district.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2022.