RAWALPINDI:
The Meteorological Department has predicted the first spell of heavy winter rains, accompanied by snowfall in Murree, from January 8 to 15.
To better manage the influx of tourists during the snow season, the district administration has approved the start of ‘free roller coaster shuttle service’ to reduce the entry of vehicles into Murree during this period.
A total of 30 roller coasters have been allocated for this service.
This free service will start from GT Road Toll Plaza and Motorway Toll Plaza and will extend to Murree. Vehicles of tourist families will be parked near these two toll plazas.
This service will be available 24 hours a day.
Once the number of tourists in Murree reaches 50,000, it will be completely free.
To avoid accidents during the snowfall season, hotels, restaurants and guest houses in Murree will be equipped with gas cylinders. Strict instructions have been issued to install water heating systems in hotels and the installation of gas heaters is prohibited.
Water heaters are environmentally friendly and do not cause explosions or accidents. They provide hot air and hot water in the rooms and the cost is also low.
Additionally, 19 tourist facility centres, operating 24/7, have become operational in and around Murree and 30 additional uniformed Civil Defense personnel have also been deployed from Rawalpindi. Seven snow plows and a large quantity of salt have also been purchased to remove snow from the roads. The snowfall season is expected to continue until March 15, 2025.
Murree Deputy Commissioner Agha Zaheer Shirazi will directly supervise the Murree snowfall plan. It has been reinforced with additional traffic guards from Rawalpindi to ensure traffic flow. Meanwhile, police officers from Murree police stations have been shifted to Murree police station in Rawalpindi division.
Additionally, computerized counting of vehicles entering from Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir and all routes to Murree from toll plazas has been installed. If the number of vehicles exceeds a certain amount, exclusively male travelers will be prohibited from entering.
Leaves of all employees performing duties in Murree, NHA, Traffic, Police, Civil Defense and Forest departments have been canceled due to snowfall season.
The Punjab Disaster Management Authority has also issued guidelines to all tourist families visiting Murree during the snowfall season, according to which tourists have been instructed to fill the petrol tank of their vehicles, bring warm clothes, jackets, umbrellas, raincoats, vehicle tire chains, dried fruits, juices and other items that may be needed in case of an emergency.
