MULTAN, Nov 1: Organizers of Cholistan desert jeep rally may reduce race route from 550 kms to around 400 kms to lessen risk for participating drivers and hold the event in January next instead of December.

The change in schedule is being considered after drivers refused to compromise adventure element and declined to take advantage of full moonlight during night race.

Organizers were earlier thinking to hold the race somewhere around Dec 28. However, they started reviewing the decision after potential participants (drivers) informed there would be full moon on that date and refused to have moonlight support during night race to keep the adventure element alive.

"The event may now be held in first week of Jan 2005," said Regional Manager, Tourism Development Corporation Punjab (TDCP), Shoaib Ahmad.

He was part of the team that scoured the desert for three consecutive days last month to finalize the route.

"Earlier, we had plans to hold race on a 550-km long route, including 350-km for day time and 200-km for night race. But it is likely to be reduced to around 400-km, including over 260-km for day and around 145 to 150-km for night race", said Shoaib. This change was being brought about on an advice from authorities to lessen the risk for the drivers.

The 40 to 50-km dangerous part of route of night race would be skipped. The race route would be circular or oval shaped and would begin and end at Derawar Fort, some 100 kilometres away from Bahawalpur.

Meant to promote desert tourism, the night race would be held first and the day race the next day. Event would end with a prize distribution ceremony and a colourful programme featuring traditional folk songs and dances in the evening at the gorgeous fort.

The mega event that is expected to generate economic activity for native Rohillas of Cholistan desert, is being organized by the TDCP in cooperation with desert rangers, district government of Bahawalpur, and Cholistan Development Authority (CDA).

The driver taking minimum time would get first prize.

Participants must be equipped with helmets, a hatchet, a spade, a first-aid box, and snake stick.

An ambulance, mobile workshop and mobile fuel units would be arranged besides other facilities.-APP