Murree Water Projects Reviewed, Supply Increased by 700,000 Gallons Per Day
LAHORE | NAZRANA TIMES Ali Imran Chattha 
A special meeting chaired by PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in Murree on Thursday reviewed progress on the Murree Development Plan, with a particular focus on water supply, road infrastructure, tourism facilities and preservation of the hill station’s heritage.
Maryam Aurangzeb, chairperson of the Steering Committee for the Murree Development Programme, briefed the meeting on ongoing and completed projects.
The meeting was informed that four major water supply schemes had been completed on the chief minister’s directives, increasing Murree’s water availability by around 700,000 gallons per day.
Under the Donga Gali water supply scheme, capacity was increased from 50,000 to 350,000 gallons per day. Water supply schemes in Dhara Jawa, Massot and Khani Gait were also completed.
The meeting set December 2028 as the deadline for the bulk water supply project from the River Jhelum to Murree. The project will include seven pumping stations and a 29.6-kilometre pipeline and is expected to benefit more than 425,000 people in Murree and Kotli Sattian. A water treatment plant will also be established.
Officials further informed the meeting that, on the chief minister’s instructions, water was being supplied to around 96,000 households in Murree through bowsers and water tankers.
Road and Tourism Projects
The meeting set October 31 as the deadline for construction and expansion works on the Rawalpindi-Murree-Kashmir (RMK) Road. Officials said regular construction, expansion and rehabilitation work had been undertaken on the road after nearly four decades.
Measures to prevent landslides are also being implemented, alongside the installation of streetlights, road furniture, roadside shoulders and tiled footpaths.
Plans for Murree’s first green Hill View Park on Mall Road were also reviewed. Following the removal of encroachments, the project will include the city’s first amphitheatre, with seating for 600 people, along with walkable areas, a family park, food and retail kiosks, six gazebos and a children’s play area.
At Basra Gali Wildlife Park, an elevated bridge is planned as a new tourist attraction. The bridge will pass through the nature trail, Jungle Journey, Animal Kingdom and lion enclosure, while offering views of the tiger and leopard houses, Pine Lodge and Wild Retreat Park.
An amphitheatre, souvenir shop, food court and ecologue are also planned at the wildlife park.
Heritage and Environment
The meeting approved in principle the formulation of special rules for shops, hotels and cafés on Mall Road. It also agreed to replace iron shutters on prominent roads with traditional wooden doors as part of efforts to preserve Murree’s architectural character.
Maryam Nawaz directed officials to restore Murree’s historic GPO and church while maintaining their original appearance.
The meeting also decided to remove tangled electricity wires and introduce underground cabling at Jhika Gali, GPO, Government House and Kashmir Point.
Officials said Japanese geologists had submitted a detailed report on the Jhika Gali area. A total of 296 piles are planned to strengthen and protect the project, with 200 already completed.
The meeting also considered a proposal to restrict the entry of old and dilapidated vehicles into Murree.
The chief minister further directed IESCO officials to provide a dedicated power line to Sambli Hospital to ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply.
The meeting was also briefed on the proposed biodiversity park and other development projects aimed at improving Murree’s infrastructure, tourism facilities and environmental protection.