MURREE (Kashmir English): Authorities announced that the snowfall season in Murree officially starts from 15th December and lasts up to 25th February, with a new and stricter management plan for snow now in place.
The winter operations will be supervised by Rawalpindi Commissioner Aamir Khattak and the Regional Police Officer during the Murree snowfall season.
More snow-removal machinery, along with large reserves of salt and de-icing chemicals, has already been forwarded to Murree. A detailed winter safety advisory has also been issued for visitors.
From December 15, 19 facilitation centers will start functioning. The fleet of snow-clearing vehicles has risen to 20, each working round-the-clock in three shifts with two staff members on every shift.
Parking would not be allowed on roads leading into Murree, nor on Mall Road, nor within the local markets. Vehicles parked illegally would be sealed. Tourists would only have access to officially designated parking zones.
A military unit will also be on standby during the entire season. Teams from NDMA, police, and Rescue 1122 will be deployed at all levels, assisted by additional traffic wardens and Civil Defense volunteers. All hotels have been directed to keep heater charges uniform.
The district administration will check the hotel room rents on a daily basis. Foodstalls must show prices clearly. Horse riding, chairlifts, and other leisure activities will have official rates, and those charging more will be taken to task, it is stated. Policemen and Civil Defense personnel will patrol key points to ensure the safety of tourist families.
Entry to Murree from the motorway and GT Road will be strictly controlled. Vehicles from KP and Azad Kashmir will also be counted. Once the maximum limit is reached, access from those routes will be temporarily shut down. Residents with local ID cards will keep unrestricted entry.
They have advised tourists to carry with them drinking water, juices, dry fruits, milk, and metal snow chains for cars. The families have been asked to carry warm clothes and woolen blankets.
Visitors have also been advised not to use gas heaters inside the vehicle or use it minimally to avoid the danger of suffocation.
