Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has granted in-principle approval for the province’s first Sky Glass Bridge project in Kotli Sattian, aimed at promoting tourism.
The decision was taken during a special meeting jointly presided over by PML-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, where progress on the Murree Protection and Rehabilitation Plan was reviewed.
The meeting also decided to engage international experts to address the issue of landsliding in Murree.
The chief minister directed immediate measures to counter the mid-flow downhill effect and ordered relief and rehabilitation efforts for those affected by landslides in Chatta Mor, Darya Gali, Bansera Gali, Naml, Jhika Gali and adjoining areas.
Approval was granted for the establishment of three new hospitality zones in Murree’s suburban areas – Shawala, Sozo and brewery- where five-star standard hotels will be developed in collaboration with the private sector.
It was further decided to form a team of experts for the Murree rehabilitation project, while the chief minister directed that debris from structures demolished during anti-encroachment operations be removed immediately.
The meeting was informed that Jhika Gali Road and Reach Bil Road would be widened by 10 feet each. The chief minister set a one-month deadline to initiate construction work on the Murree Glass Train project.
A detailed briefing was given on three new parks to be established in Murree, including Angoori Road Park, MIT Park and Ariari Park Kotli Sattian.
Participants were told that a zoological garden, zoological garden eco-zone, bridge crossing and a state-of-the-art conference room would be developed at Bansera Gali.
Facilities for wildlife conservation, including a bear house, tiger house and bird aviary, are also planned.
Murree’s first glamping pod village will be established at Chewra Hill, designed as a state-of-the-art tourist attraction. Its management will be outsourced to the private sector, as approved by the chief minister.
The meeting also approved the Paragliding Club project in Chewra, and reviewed progress on the Kotli Sattian chairlift project, Punjab House, Forest Rest House and other initiatives.
The chief minister directed that the feasibility report for a bulk water supply scheme from the River Jhelum for Murree district be completed by April 30. According to a briefing by DC Zaheer Shirazi, rainwater harvesting systems have been successfully implemented in 187,600 homes across Murree and Kotli Sattian, providing relief to women and children from fetching water from distant locations.
Water supply schemes in Dhar Jawa and Donga Gali have been completed.
The chief minister also granted in-principle approval for establishing Punjab’s first Facility Management Unit, which will oversee construction, maintenance and management of Punjab Houses and other buildings across the province.