RAWALPINDI: After one-and-a-half years, the divisional administration woke up from deep slumber and started work on preparing a master plan for the hill station of Murree.

After the tragedy of January 2022 in which 23 tourists died in their vehicles trapped in heavy snow in Murree, a high-level inquiry committee was constituted which found negligence of officials and government departments in it. Later, 15 senior officials, including the then commissioner Rawalpindi, deputy commissioner, city police officer and other officials were removed.

The committee recommended a conducive environment for tourists in the hill station. The committee had said Murree might be upgraded to the status of a district. A comprehensive master plan for the hill station may also be prepared and implemented for the future development and promotion of the tourism destination.

Strict building code regulations should be developed and implemented, land use control should be enforced strictly and illegal buildings and structures must be demolished forthwith.

Following Jan 2022 tragedy, probe body had recommended preparation of master plan for hill station

A modern early warning system may be established with the Met Department in Murree to warn officials, tourists and travelers.

Moreover, the committee had suggested that the Department of Tourist Services may be strengthened by appropriate human and physical resources.

The regulatory framework for various tourist and allied services may be developed and implemented.

Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench had also directed the administration to make a comprehensive master plan for the hill station and implement building bylaws to save the environment of the area.

On Friday, Divisional Commissioner Rawalpindi Liaquat Ali Chatha presided over a meeting to review the implementation of the Murree contingency plan in the light of the high court directive. He said all departments should ensure the implementation of the court’s decision so that there was no room left for any such tragedy in future.

The commissioner formed a committee headed by Local Government Project Management Unit (PMU) and directed that the master plan of Murree should be finalised as soon as possible.

He directed the director development to visit Murree along with the executive engineer buildings and submit proposals for two suitable sites for parking plazas to be constructed there in the next meeting.

He said that the progress on the three bypasses for Murree - Dadhyal, Bustan Mor and Bansara Gali to Kali Mitti - should also be updated in the next meeting.

The national park of Murree and Kotli Sattian should be made a centre of tourists and the Forest Department should plant trees there. He directed that the Forest Department should launch a strategic tree plantation campaign in Murree. The commissioner said while finalising the arrangements special emphasis should be given on the convenience and ease of mobility of the local people.

The Meteorological department should send timely forecast to the concerned departments and all the departments should develop close liaIson with each other.

For the convenience of tourists, information, warning boards and up-to-date information should be displayed at various places, and precautionary measures should be taken to discourage people from unnecessary travel in time of emergency.

Additional Commissioner (Coordination) Syed Nazarat Ali, Director Development Nazia Sudhan and officials of other departments also attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, May 27TH, 2023