Murree, Kotli Satiyan get status upgrade
Businesses reopened after the main roads of Murree were cleared of snow. PHOTO: EXPRESS
Rawalpindi Division Commissioner Laiqat Ali Chatha has said that Murree and Kotli Sattyian have been declared a Reserve Forest.
He made these remarks while informing Senior Member Board of Revenue Nabil Javed while presiding over a meeting regarding the implementation of the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench’s instructions regarding the Murree Contingency Plan.
During the meeting, the senior Board of Revenue Member said all the departments should ensure full compliance with the high court’s decision so that no room is left for any untoward incidents.
He said that the obstacles in the completion of the master plan of Murree should be removed as soon as possible and it should be finalised. Nabil Javed directed that there should be no delay in the preparations made at the local level.
“The additional workforce demanded by the Murree administration from Civil Defense, police, forest and other departments should be fulfilled immediately.” He issued further instructions and said that the ongoing work on four bypasses of Murree towards Galiat including Dadhyal, Bustan Mor, Bansra Gali to Kali Mitti should be expedited and completed as soon as possible so that there is no risk of traffic congestion.
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He stressed that while finalising the arrangements, special emphasis should be given to the convenience and ease of transportation of the locals.
On this occasion, while giving an update regarding the implementation of the contingency plan, Rawalpindi commissioner said in the wake of the forecast of snowfall in the coming days, all the departments have been alerted. Illegal buildings have been demolished in Murree through mega anti-encroachment operations. Apart from this, new building by-laws have also been approved. A two-month ban on construction has also been imposed by the commissioner’s office. For the parking plaza, the building department has identified 10 kanals of land owned by the Murree Improvement Trust.
“Murree and Kotli Sattyian have been declared a Reserve Forest.” Apart from this, the national park has been made a tourist attraction point and a strategic tree plantation campaign is also being launched by the forest department, Murree.
The Rawalpindi commissioner further said the Murree Traffic Police have obtained the frequency of FM 88.6 where the Meteorological Department informs about the timely forecast.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 18th, 2023.