RAWALPINDI: In view of the snowfall prediction and New Year’s Eve in Murree, the Punjab caretaker government asked the district administration to prepare a contingency plan for the hill station aimed at facilitating visitors.

Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha, while presiding over the meeting regarding the Murree Contingency Plan, stated that the implementation of the plan should not be delayed.

“There is an expected influx of tourists on the New Year’s Eve, so all necessary preparations should be made accordingly,” Mr Chatha said.

Apart from the additional 140 personnel from the traffic police, the demands made by the allied departments have also been fulfilled, so the Murree administration should now ensure the best possible facilities for tourists, the commissioner remarked.

He further warned that no official or staff should take leave at this time, as the chronic issue in Murree is traffic jams, so the important role lies with the traffic police. He added that he will ensure the appointment of a district police officer (DPO) for Murree from the forum concerned.

The commissioner also informed the meeting that facilitation centres have been set up at 13 different places, including Satra Meel, Lower Topa, Jhika Gali, GPO Murree, Kashmir Point, Kuldana, Kali Mitti, Masiyari, Sindhan, Sunny Bank, Bhurban, Thanda Jangal, and Saharbagla.

Besides, 13 SMD screens been made operational within Murree City, where public service messages have been displayed every now and then for the awareness of tourists.

Moreover, a helpline has also been provided by the tourism department, where tourists can call and get details before travelling.

For the traffic count, vehicles entering the city are also being monitored through digital counting at the Satra Meel Toll Plaza, and 26 CCTV cameras have been installed on all the main roads to monitor the traffic situation.

During the meeting the commissioner was briefed about the implementation of the contingency plan. Commissioner was informed that in view of the snowfall forecast in the coming days, all the departments have been put on high alert.

For the parking plaza in Murree, the building department has identified a 10-kanal site of the Murree Improvement Trust and has forwarded its detailed plan to the forum concernedto get it included in the annual development project. As per the latest situation, a Lahore-based company has hired a consultant who will visit the site soon.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Murree remarked that traffic police officer Murree has acquired the frequency of FM 88.6, where the Meteorological Department gives timely forecasts. Apart from this, a website will also be functional soon, through which tourists will be able to get the weather update, traffic conditions at various intersections, hotels, and other necessary updates with a click before heading to Murree.

DC Murree Agha Zaheer Abbas Shirazi, Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) Director General (DG) Ahmed Hasan Ranjha, Director Development Nazia Sudhan, Xen Highway, and District Emergency Officer were also present in this meeting held in the Commissioner Office Rawalpindi.

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2023