Murree: The Punjab Government has launched a historic multi-billion-rupee development package for Murree.
According to Radio Pakistan, this was briefed at a special meeting chaired by PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz in Murree to review the Murree Development Plan. Senior Minister of Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb provided a detailed briefing to the participants.
It was decided to develop Kotli Sattian as Punjab's new state-of-the-art tourism hub. Fourteen tourism schemes were approved for the area, including the establishment of an eco-friendly glamping pod village and resort, Punjab's first modern paragliding centre, and a sky glass bridge for tourists. Approval was also granted for a new chairlift project in Kotli Sattian, while the Patriata chairlift will be repaired and upgraded.
A 50-bed hospital will be constructed in Bhurban, and the water supply scheme for the hospital near the bus stand has been completed. The meeting was briefed on the Murree Glass Train Project, with bidding for the monorail scheduled in March. The 40-kilometre route will run from Lake View Park to Murree Bus Stand, with an agreement reached in principle to extend the project from Islamabad Airport to Muzaffarabad.
It was decided to restore Murree's historic buildings according to their original architectural design and to establish a separate department for the protection of historical and cultural structures. Renovation and rehabilitation of 23 buildings and 76 shops on Mall Road have been completed.
The meeting also approved the establishment of standardised hotels at a designated location under a public-private partnership model, with directions issued to the Deputy Commissioner Murree to identify a suitable site. It was further agreed to remove illegally constructed three-storey buildings affecting the natural beauty of Murree and convert the areas into parks and green spaces. Roads in Upper Jhika Gali, Mall Road, Hall Road and Imtiaz Shaheed Road will be widened after removal of such structures.
Progress on water supply schemes was reviewed, and it was informed that an additional 2.8 million gallons of water will be supplied, increasing availability from one hour to five to seven hours daily. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed satisfaction over the successful completion of the first phase of the rainwater harvesting project. In the second phase, three thousand households will benefit. She also directed that similar measures be undertaken in Rawalpindi.
The meeting was updated on the construction and restoration of Bansra Gali Eco Forest Park, PIA Bagh Shaheedan and the Nursery Botanical Garden, as well as rehabilitation of various roads including Bostal Mor to Barori Road and Murree Expressway to Patriata Road. The meeting, in principle, decided to upgrade Rawalpindi-Murree and Kashmir Road into state-of-the-art highways. Construction and repair of 70 roads in Murree and its suburbs have been completed, while work on 120 additional roads is underway.
The meeting was informed that modern machinery, including mechanical snow sweepers and heavy bulldozers, has been imported and successfully used to promptly clear roads. The Parks and Horticulture Authority is actively working on the beautification of the city, while improved drainage arrangements following the establishment of WASA Murree have facilitated residents.
It was further said 37 roads have been completed at a cost of 3.98 billion rupees, while ten schemes under Murree Development Plan Phase-II will be completed at a cost of 4.66 billion rupees. Additionally, ten roads will be constructed under the Annual Development Programme at a cost of 7.24 billion rupees.