TDCP has started working on a proposed project for installation of a chairlift at Murree to overcome traffic jams on major holidays. PHOTO: FILE
The Punjab government is working on finding an efficient solution to ease traffic gridlock and choking pollution the country’s most visited hill station faces during peak tourist season every year.
The Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) has started working on a proposed project for installation of a chairlift at Murree to overcome traffic jams on major holidays when tourists remain stranded on roads and have to seek refuge in mosques and other public places due to overbooked hotels.
The National Engineering Services Pakistan (Nespak) has been engaged by the TDCP to undertake geotechnical inspection of sites selected as launching and culmination points of the approximately two-kilometre-long chairlift project.
According to an official of TDCP, who declined to be named, as per the initially worked out plan, the launching point of the project would be Masiyari — a road that links the Murree Expressway to Murree city — while its culmination point would be near the Old Commissioner Camp located at a walk-able distance from Mall Road.
“Nespak is supposed to submit its geotechnical survey finding report with TDCP by the end of August 2015,” said the officer, adding that the feasibility study of the project will be initiated if the soil testing report is found favourable.
The plan provides for construction of car parking plazas at Masiyari intersection on the Murree Expressway as during peak seasons travelers will not be allowed to enter Murree riding their vehicles.
Tourists would park their cars at parking lots and take a ride on the chairlift from where they will land near Mall Road, Murree.
“Masiyari road turn is the worst-affected during winter season as it receives huge amounts of snowfall. The road blocks at different points due to land-sliding makes the road difficult to travel especially for motorists hailing from Punjab, Khyber-Pkhtunkhwa and other parts of the country,” the official added.
The official said the plan would also help reduce pollution caused due to entry of thousands of vehicles in Murree.
After record entry of vehicles in the region for the past two Eids, anticipating a big rush this August 14 the traffic police issued a strict travel advisory to keep the number of visitors low and avoid long traffic jams on the Murree Expressway and roads leading to it.
The entry of motorcycles was completely banned while tourists were not allowed to enter Murree Expressway after 7pm on August 12, 13, and 14. Before 7pm they were allowed but only upon submitting proof of hotel bookings.
According to the traffic police, during the three Eid holidays this July, as many as 0.16 million vehicles crossed into the hill station from the Murree Expressway Toll Plaza.
Moreover, the chairlift plan will not only be a viable solution to the traffic congestion and pollution but an added recreational feature as tourists have to travel to Patriata to enjoy a chairlift ride, said the official.
Islamabad-Murree-Muzaffarabad Railway Link
A feasibility report of the Islamabad-Murree-Muzaffarabad Railway Link Project will again be presented to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on September 1.
Once the feasibility report is complete, work on the project will be completed in four to five years at a cost of Rs89 billion, said an official associated with the project.
The premier had raised objection over the previous report saying the proposed railway station should be constructed close to Murree city so residents and tourists could benefit from it.
The earlier feasibility report was worked out by a Pakistani and an Austrian company under a joint venture in which the cost of the project was Rs60 million.
The project also includes the construction of a five-kilometre-long tunnel from Islamabad to Murree and a 20-kilometre-long tunnel from Murree to Muzaffarabad. The railway station is likely to be constructed near Basal in Murree.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 17th, 2015.
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