IN the backdrop of intensive criticism over mishandling of the major influx of tourists in Murree, the Punjab Government has announced several relief-related and other measures aimed at improving overall conditions in the famous hill resort of the country.
These include upgradation of the status of Murree from Tehsil to District level, immediate deployment of an Additional Deputy Commissioner and a Superintendent of Police, establishment of two new police stations, construction of two parking plazas at peripheral areas of Sunny Bank and Jhika Gali, allocation of funds for repair and maintenance of roads and compensation of Rs.0.8 million for each of the deceased.
There is surely a dire need to address all those issues that added to the agony of the tourists so as to avoid such a situation in future.
The decision to construct two parking plazas at Sunny Bank and Jhika Gali and launch of a shuttle service between these two sites and inner portions of the town would help streamline the traffic congestion throughout the year.
Similarly, allocation of funds for carpeting of roads and compensation for the victims are also steps in the right direction.
However, one fails to understand the logic behind grant of district status to Murree as such a move is hardly going to contribute an iota to improve overall conditions in the area. Murree, being comparatively more accessible and known for its scenic beauty for over a century, needs upgradation of facilities for tourists and not concentration of bureaucracy.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the existing administrative structure of the area and creation of a district might not be a viable proposition for an area consisting of 15 union councils and at best it can have another tehsil – Kotli Sattian.
There are no prospects for creation of additional tehsils as apart from Kotli Sattian, Murree is surrounded by KP, Azad Kashmir and the Islamabad Capital Territory, which cannot be bifurcated easily to have more sub-divisions of Murree.
Murree town is already over-flooded by offices and commercial/residential buildings and tehsil courts have been shifted to Jhika Gali to ease burden on the tourist resort.
Under these circumstances, the announcement to upgrade Murree to district level is nothing but an attention deflector. Again, Murree doesn’t need more visibility of police as there are already complaints about undue harassment of tourists by police.
Instead of indulging in political rhetoric, it would be more appropriate if the provincial government makes serious efforts to develop the area so that it facilitates tourists in a better manner and attracts more visitors.
The forest cover in Murree and Kotli Sattian is fast depleting due to unchecked cutting of trees both from official forest lands and privately owned areas and immediate steps should be taken to preserve and promote forests as they help improve the environment and scenic beauty of these regions.
Like New Murree, some other scenic spots should be identified and developed on modern lines to minimize burden on the hill station.
Special attention should be paid to development of Kotli Sattian, Narh/Punjpir (in Kahuta) as new tourist resorts by improving access to them and creating necessary tourist-related facilities there.
Other flaws and shortcomings have adequately been highlighted in the initial inquiry report on the tragic incident. It is highly deplorable that on the one hand we make pledges to promote tourism but on the other hand roads of the province’s only hill station were not repaired for two years.
This phenomenon is not restricted to Murree town alone as no worthwhile road work was undertaken in any area of Central and Northern Punjab as focus remained on Central Punjab during the last three years.
The paucity of funds can be gauged by the fact that even salt could not be procured in required quantities for sprinkling on snow. There were also administrative failures as machinery to remove snow was there but it was either repairable or their drivers were not timely available to perform their duties and the delayed response caused the havoc.
The so-called Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were there but neither local administration nor the provincial government cared for them.
Over-charging has also been a longstanding complaint of the visitors to Murree but the phenomenon persists mainly because of lack of vigilance and monitoring on the part of the local administration. Another inquiry has also been ordered but we think the issues already stood identified by the preliminary inquiry and it is time for action in the light of its findings.
