MANSEHRA: The scenic Kaghan Valley is set to attract a record number of visitors from within the country and abroad during the Eidul Azha days.

“We have been expecting an influx of visitors during Eid holidays, and to ensure smooth traffic flow, extra measures have been taken,” deputy commissioner Adnan Khan Bittani said.

He said heavy machinery would remain in the landslide-prone parts of Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road to ensure smooth traffic flow on the artery.

It is pertinent to mention here that tourism season in Kaghan Valley usually starts in the first week of May, but a record snowfall in the valley delayed the tourists’ arrival by a month this year.

The valley’s highest altitude tourist attraction, Babusar Top, also received snowfall in early June, which turned the weather cold in Kaghan Valley and the rest of Mansehra district.

A snow avalanche had buried commercial buildings and houses in Naran in recent months.

The deputy commissioner had ordered a survey of the damage caused by snow avalanche. The findings of the survey are yet to be shared with the tourism and other relevant departments.

Meanwhile, the police department has also deployed extra force at checkposts for safety of tourists.

“Police force is ready to deal with the heavy influx of visitors to Kaghan Valley with an enhanced presence of personnel at all existing checkposts and police stations from Balakot onward to Babusar Top,” district police officer Shafiullah Khan Gandapur said.

He said traffic wardens would welcome visitors from Mansehra to Babusar Top.

“I have directed wardens not to fine tourists visiting Kaghan Valley,” Mr Gandapur said.

The influx of visitors to Kaghan Valley is also caused by scorching heat engulfing Punjab, Sindh and even Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The police department has also taken extra precautionary measures for the safety of visitors.

“The tourists should cooperate with our force as cops’ deployment is only meant to restrict mobility of miscreants. I have directed the police not to challan the tourists on traffic rules’ violations,” Hazara DIG Tahir Ayub Khan said.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2024