Murree administration devises plan to facilitate winter tourists

Rawalpindi - The Murree district administration has devised a comprehensive plan to support winter tourists and snowfall visitors to the popular resort town. Deputy Commissioner Agha Zaheer Abbas Shirazi announced that the administration has set up seven tourist facilitation centers in collaboration with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority and the divisional commissioner.

A mock exercise is scheduled to begin on Monday, with the Highway Department and other relevant agencies supplied with necessary machinery to maintain clear roads during winter conditions. The administration emphasized its commitment to ensuring public safety, smooth traffic flow, and uninterrupted essential services. Seven facilitation centers have been established, coordinated with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority and the divisional commissioner, to cater to the needs of tourists and locals during the winter snowfall.

During a meeting chaired by the deputy commissioner, officials from various departments discussed the 'Snow season contingency plan' and were directed to complete all necessary preparations in advance. Pre-positioning of heavy snow-clearing machinery and salt spreaders at critical locations, such as The Mall, Jhika Gali, Kuldana, Sunny Bank, the bus terminal, Lower Topa, Lawrence College bypass, PC Bhurban, Bariyan, and the Murree Expressway, has been ordered.

The DC instructed the availability of medicines and 100% medical staff attendance at THQ hospital Murree and Samli Hospital. All relevant officials were directed to remain in the field to oversee the arrangements. Digital monitoring of vehicles entering Murree, inspection of vehicles lacking anti-skid chains, and prevention of hotel price gouging were also emphasized in the directives.

A similar incident in 2022, where 22 people died in vehicles trapped in snow, led to several officials being transferred for negligence. The Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench had previously directed officials to create winter plans to address traffic and other issues before the start of the winter season in the hill station.