MURREE, June 20: Tourists and local people in Murree are facing a host of problems including water shortage, parking problem and poor road condition. There is no water in the pipelines provided by the Tehsil Municipal Administration, and traders are left with no choice but to purchase water from the TMA tankers. As a result, the price of water tanker has doubled.

The local people, especially those residing in Lower Bazaar, complained that they were getting contaminated water.

The government had announced to launch water scheme at Kohala to supply water to Murree but that project would take time. If additional water pump is installed at Jawa water resource, the supply can be doubled. Revenue in this regard is collected by the TMA and Rs10 million is given to water supply department annually. However water available at Jawa is not suitable for drinking.

Another problem being faced by the tourists and local people is the dug-up roads. Several roads in Murree were dug up last year to lay pipelines, but they continue to lie in the same state as they were back then.

The Murree town nazim and Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Company (SNGPL) general manager had made several commitments of providing connections to the entire population of Murree City by March 2007 but still about 70 per cent of the households are yet to avail this facility.

Until the pipelines are laid, roads cannot be repaired, much to the inconvenience of the tourists and local people. Traffic jams and scuffles are a common sight especially on weekends.

In some areas, connections were provided in February but the residents have yet not received bills. They fear that they will be sent gas bills along with surcharge. Those who submitted their demand notes in the month of March are still awaiting connections.

The SNGPL office is located at Kashmir Point where no telephone is available and people of the area have to walk 2km to reach the place.

Another problem being confronted by tourists is lack of parking lots in Murree. A parking lot outside Murree Kutchery where only 20 vehicles can be parked is used by local people who visit there for their legal issues. Several cars can be seen standing on the road.

Former Daska town nazim Asim Sahi told this correspondent that his family remained stranded on Hall Road because of the traffic mess. The Murree town nazim had announced a parking plaza at DCO Camp Office but so far there has been no development in this regard.

At present the only exit point from Murree is Kuldana Road but that too is jampacked. The residents of the area have suggested that Kuldana Road should be doubled in order to reduce traffic mess.