‘When in Murree, use petrol-driven cars’

Authorities issue cautionary advisory for visitors

RAWALPINDI:

Tourists visiting Murree to enjoy snowfall have been urged to use petrol-based vehicles and strictly avoid CNG-based ones, which may cause problems due to the extreme cold in the snow.

They have also been asked to abide by traffic rules to avoid traffic congestion and road mishaps at the hill station. According to a City Traffic Police (CTP) spokesperson, their department had already finalised all the arrangements to ensure the security of the visitors, particularly during snowfall. He noted that Rawalpindi City Traffic Officer Taimoor Khan had requested tourists observe traffic rules on the roads of Murree to avoid traffic mess and any untoward incidents during the winter season. Special teams had been formed to facilitate the tourists and resolve their problems, if any, in Murree, he said, adding that parking vehicles outside parking areas were prohibited.

"There was a complete ban on illegal parking on the roads in Murree, particularly at exit and entry points," he added. The spokesperson further said parking was not allowed on roads except at designated parking places. He stressed that CTP had issued an advisory for the visitors heading towards the hill station, Murree, to enjoy snowfall. On the directive of CTO Taimoor Khan, the police devised a comprehensive plan to facilitate the tourists heading towards the 'Queen of Hills' to spend recreational time with their families and friends in the chilly weather.

He said the CTP had deployed senior traffic officers to monitor traffic arrangements in the hill station to ensure smooth and safe traffic flow during the snowfall.

A special traffic control room had also been set up where the citizens could call around the clock for any kind of help, he added. He further said the control room would organise all possible facilities for the tourists and make arrangements for handling any emergency.

The spokesman also said they had increased the number of traffic wardens, junior traffic wardens, under the supervision of inspectors, who were deployed at all key points of the hill station. Moreover, they have designated several points for car parking. Several main roads, including Kashmir Point, Mall Road, Guldana Road, and others, had been closed for two-way traffic to ease traffic flow.

He said though the snow blanket made Murree even more beautiful, which attracted a large number of tourists, motorists could face traffic congestion due to slippery roads and traffic congestion. The snowfall attracts thousands of tourists to these scenic sites, which results in an extra traffic load on the roads, choking almost every artery linking Rawalpindi-Islamabad to these hilly spots.

Due to the huge influx of tourists towards Murree, the administration and CTP have issued an advisory here that appeals to the citizens to use their line and avoid using the dual line as preventive measures.

According to the advisory, tourists are requested to use petrol-based vehicles and are strictly prohibited from using CNG-based vehicles, which may cause problems in cars due to the extreme cold in the snow.

In the advisory, families with infants and asthma patients are also advised to avoid travelling to Murree. It also asked the tourists to strictly follow one way and not violate it for the smooth run of traffic.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 5^th, 2024.