Plan afoot to keep Murree roads snow-free
At least 22 tourists stranded in their vehicles during a snowstorm in Murree died on Jan 07, 2022. Photo: Reuters
The Murree district administration has approved a plan ahead of snowfall season to ensure protection of tourists, uniform commodity prices, parking fee, and hotel fares.
According to a statement issued by the administration, Murree Additional Deputy Commissioner Ahmed Hasan Ranjha presided over a meeting of the officers of all relevant departments to promote tourism in Murree.
The meeting also reviewed arrangements for removing snow from the roads, managing snow-clearing vehicles, and ensuring the availability of additional drivers for the vehicles to keep the roads open round the clock throughout the season.
The huddle decided that all the preparations in this regard will be completed by December 1st. Meanwhile, snowfall season in the hill station is expected to start from December 15th to 20th and is likely to continue till 31st of March.
The statement stated that snow removal vehicles have permanently been deployed on all entry and exit routes of the hill resort to deal with heavy snowfall.
These vehicles will remove snow from the roads at night and early in the morning and will keep the roads clear, it read.
The communique also stated that parking of vehicles on the sides of main roads will strictly be prohibited to ensure a smooth flow of traffic on all routes of the tourist district.
The capacity for parking has also been increased keeping the demand in view, it stated.
The meeting further decided that the rates for rooms having heaters and those lacking the facility will be different.
Hotel rents will be monitored on daily basis and those involved in fleecing the customers will be dealt with an iron fist while their hotels will be sealed, the huddle decided.
The statement said authorities concerned will keep a check on the rate of food at restaurants besides ensuring cleanliness. Similarly, same rates have been fixed for tea, coffee and soups available at hotels and coffee shops, it said.
Officials decided that rates for horse riding and other children’s sports activities will also be fixed.
Officers of Rescue 1122, civil defense, PDMA, Punjab highway, traffic police, municipal corporation, Cantt board, local government department and police participated in the meeting.
It was also decided in the meeting that all the departments will keep in touch with the meteorological department during the snowfall season and the Murree met department will share the latest weather information about the snowfall and on an hourly basis on social and electronic media.
A control room will also be set up in the hill resort from where all the situation will be monitored and tourists coming to Murree will be informed about the latest updates, the statement said.
It also stated that during the snowfall, the district administration, police personnel and civil defense volunteers will also patrol the main roads and keep a check on the tourists.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2022.