Murree approves Rs1.47b uplift plan

. The Murree Road signal-free corridor project has been deferred for one year due to financial constraints, while a Rs1.4735 billion Murree Development Programme has been approved to improve infrastructure, beautification and water supply. The package aims to transform Murree into a modern, environmentally friendly and safe tourist destination. Construction work within the hill station is already under way. Under the programme, roads will be widened and a network of 120 link roads developed to ease traffic congestion. Murree Road and Kashmir Road are being upgraded to state highway status, while widening work has started on Upper Jhika Gali, Hall Road and Imtiaz Shaheed Road. The historic restoration of Mall Road also forms part of the programme. Twenty-three heritage buildings and 76 shops will be restored in accordance with their original architectural design. Separately, the Walled City Authority has been allocated Rs550 million for the beautification of Mall Road and installation of uniform signboards. Illegal three-storey structures affecting the natural landscape along Mall Road, Hall Road and Imtiaz Shaheed Road will be demolished and replaced with parks and green spaces. The plan also includes the construction of multi-storey parking plazas to address Murree's parking shortage.