RAWALPINDI: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Murree Agha Zaheer Abbas Shirazi has urged tourists to strictly abide by traffic rules to avoid congestion and road mishaps in the hill station.

He said a traffic management plan was being implemented to facilitate the tourists. Moreover, 13 tourist facilitation centres have been established at different places in Murree with a control room fully functional in the area.

He said the district administration had made proper arrangements to promote tourism in the region and was helping and assisting tourists.

A large number of tourists visit Murree to enjoy snowfall in the winter, he said, adding solid steps were taken by the district administration to provide assistance and guidance to the tourists.

He added that on the directives of Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Liaquat Ali Chatta, the administration was ensuring strict implementation of a contingency plan to facilitate the tourists.

All machinery along with staff was available round the clock during the snowfall season.

According to the Murree Contingency Plan, additional staffers have been provided to traffic police and related departments. He said the role of traffic police was most important in Murree.

Entry of vehicles would be allowed according to the parking capacity in Murree.

The management has completed all its arrangements for the snowfall season and the staff and officers would not be allowed to remain absent from duties, he warned.

Facilitation centres have been set up at Satra Meel, Lower Topa, Jika Galli, GPO, Kashmir Point, Kuldana, Kali Mitti, Masiyari, Sindhan, Sunny Bank, Bhurban, Thanda Jungle and Saharbagla to guide and assist the tourists, the DC said.

Public service messages were being displayed on SMDs to spread awareness for tourists.

He said a 24/7 helpline was also available to guide tourists and keep them updated about the weather and traffic conditions.

Vehicles entering the city would be monitored through digital counting at the 17 Meel toll plaza while 26 CCTV cameras have also been installed to monitor the situation of traffic and other administrative matters, he added.

The DC said all departments were put on high alert in view of the forecast of snowfall.

The tourists would be able to get information from official website about weather, traffic conditions at various intersections and hotels before coming to Murree.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2024