RAWALPINDI: To guarantee the security and direction of visitors to the well-known hill resort, tourist facilitation centres have been created at five separate places in Malika-e-Kohsar, Murree, in anticipation of the upcoming snow season, which runs from December 1, 2023, to March 1, 2024.
Sources state that Jinnah Hall, the GPO Chowk Facilitation Center, will house the central control room for all of the tourist facilitation centres. One official from the traffic police, police station, civil defence, IESCO, cantonment board, municipal corporation, Punjab roads, tourist, and meteorological department would be present at each facilitation centre.
Starting on Monday, November 27, these centres will operate on a 24-hour shift schedule. When it snows, a maximum of 18,000 cars will be permitted entry into Murree.
There are now facilitation centres at GPO Chowk, Lower Topa, Guldna, Jhika Gali, and Changla Gali.
On the entry roads into Murree from Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Kotli Sattian, Azad Kashmir, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, special picket stations have also been established. There will be computerised vehicle counts at these pickets, and once 18,000 vehicles have entered Murree, no further cars will be permitted to enter the hill resort.
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District Officer Talib Hussain of Civil Defense told The Express Tribune that due to the Murree snowfall season, a full emergency will be in place for the three months of December, January, and February.
He advised all visitors travelling with families to pack warm clothing, blankets, water bottles, food, and a tiny gas stove in a cylinder.
According to him, 35 civil defence personnel in uniform have been stationed in Murree. “Of these fifteen officers, parking lots and marketplaces in Murree will receive the stick-wielding officials. In addition to walkie-talkies, they would also have stun guns, he clarified. “In an emergency, these officials will safeguard the tourists.” He issued a warning, saying, “This season, brawling, aerial firing, carrying, and brandishing weapons are prohibited.” Those who disobey the regulations risk arrest and case registration.
According to Hussain, official prices for tea, coffee, and coffee sold in markets have been set, and overcharging is never permitted.
From 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., the price magistrates will examine the rates. He asserted, “Overcharging would not be permitted even in hotels. All hotels have been classified and their rentals have been determined.
