Tourists given conditional permission to enter Murree

Murree: Days after 23 people froze to death in Murree when their cars became stuck on snow-covered roads, Rawalpindi administration allowed the entry of vehicles into Murree subject to several conditions from January 17.

A notification was also issued by commissioner Rawalpindi in this regard.

According to the notification, 8,000 vehicles were allowed to enter Murree daily, while the hill station will remain closed for tourists till January 17.

The ban on entry of vehicles will not be applicable to the residents of Murree and Azad Kashmir, while the Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) will formulate the Murree Traffic Plan, the notification read.

Tourists will not be able to enter Murree between 5 pm and 5 am. The CTO will be in touch with the meteorological department.

On Saturday, at least 23 tourists froze to death when their vehicles stranded due to heavy snowfall in Murree on night of January 7.

But a blizzard from Friday onwards felled trees and blocked narrow roads leading in and out of the town, which clings to steep hills and valleys at an altitude of 2,300 metres (7,500 feet).

An initial investigation report of the Murree tragedy exposed the administrative flaws during the influx of tourists to the scenic hill station during snowfall.