ISLAMABAD, Feb 27: The Murree Tehsil Council has sought Rs150 million grant from the Punjab government for water supply project. Under the project water will be supplied to Murree from River Jhelum at Kohala to meet the water shortage.

The feasibility report of the Rs500 million project has been completed, Murree Tehsil Nazim Murree, Mohammad Khursheed Abbasi said on Friday. After completion of the project, water problem being faced by country's busiest tourist station, would be solved permanently, he told APP.

Under a short-term programme, water storage capacity will be increased from existing 14 million gallon to 28 million gallon per day for residents of Murree. "We have asked Punjab government to provide a grant of Rs150 million to make this project a reality," he added.

Mr Abbassi said a piece of land adjacent to the old Commissioner House and the Mall could be utilized for parking. Under a long-term project, a bus stand and parking plaza will be constructed from where a mono rail, shuttle service or chairlift would be used, he added.

He said this project will be carried out on built-operate-transfer (BOT) basis. In the past, tourism in Murree has been neglected. Now a recreation park, namely SOZO Park, is being built at a cost of Rs30 million for family recreation at Lower Topa while some small parks are also being constructed.

This project to be built on BOT basis will not only generate income but also be handed over to Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) after 10 years. About snow clearing in winter season, he said Murree has very limited space where about 26,000 vehicles turn up.

"We have very old snow clearing machinery which does not cope with the situation when there is 6-8 feet snowfall," he added. The city need modern snow clearing machinery and additional staff.

He informed that the Punjab Chief Minister has also promized Rs200 million as special grant for improvements of road network, repairing of roads, paths, construction of water supply schemes and electrification.

To a question, he said annual budget of Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Murree has risen from Rs40 million to Rs140 million this year. When he took the charge, electricity bills amounting to Rs15 million had to be paid by the TMA while there were no funds for payment of salaries to employees.

"We improved financial position by detecting ghost employees and stopping payments on the fictitious bills within one year," he added. An amount of Rs.15 million were granted by the Punjab Governor at that time, he said.

Out of a total budget, 40 per cent has been spent on development schemes. Unfortunately bad weather prevent us undertaking several programmes he said and adding, the remaining amount will be consumed before June 30.