By Authorities have officially confirmed that Murree’s snowfall season will begin on December 15 and continue until February 25, introducing a series of strict safety, traffic, and tourism management protocols to prevent overcrowding and ensure visitor well-being. After lessons learned from past incidents, the Rawalpindi Commissioner Aamir Khattak and Regional Police Officer (RPO) will jointly supervise real-time winter operations throughout the season.
To support uninterrupted snow clearance, 20 snow-removal vehicles have been deployed, each working round-the-clock in three shifts with dedicated trained staff. Large quantities of salt and de-icing chemicals have already been stocked to prevent slippery road conditions, particularly on steep and high-altitude zones prone to black ice.
19 Facilitation Centers and Strict Parking Regulations
Beginning December 15, 19 winter facilitation centers will become operational to guide tourists, provide emergency support, and help regulate vehicle movement. Authorities have imposed a complete ban on roadside parking, including Mall Road and nearby commercial areas, warning that illegally parked vehicles will be sealed to prevent blockages and emergency delays.
Tourists will be allowed to use only officially designated parking areas, a move aimed at ensuring smooth access for rescue teams and snow-clearing machinery.
Safety & Tourist Management Measures
A military unit will remain on standby, while teams from NDMA, Rescue 1122, police, Civil Defense, and traffic wardens will be deployed at key routes, hotels, and public venues. Entry into Murree from motorway and GT Road will be closely monitored, and vehicles arriving from KP and Azad Kashmir will also be counted through live monitoring systems. Once capacity is reached, entry will be temporarily restricted to avoid overcrowding. However, local residents with valid Murree identification will be exempt.
Price Control & Hotel Regulations
To ensure fair tourism experiences, Murree’s district administration will monitor hotel room rents daily, enforce uniform heater charges, and require restaurants and cafes to display price lists clearly. Similar official pricing control will apply to chairlift rides, horse riding, and other recreational services, with penalties for overcharging.
Travel Advisory for Tourists
Visitors have been instructed to follow a strict winter travel checklist, including:
- Carry water, juices, dried snacks, milk, and emergency food items
- Keep metal snow chains for vehicle tyres
- Travel with warm clothing, blankets, gloves, and thermal wear
- Avoid or minimize gas heater use inside vehicles due to suffocation risks
Murree’s enhanced winter strategy represents a major step toward safe, organized, and family-friendly tourism. With coordinated management, controlled vehicle entry, improved rescue readiness, and price monitoring, authorities aim to make Murree’s snowfall season safer, smoother, and more enjoyable for all visitors.
