Murree is set to develop a network of 120 link roads to reduce traffic congestion and improve access across the hill station under the approved Rs1.4735 billion Murree Development Programme.
The road network is a key part of a wider infrastructure package aimed at improving traffic flow, upgrading public spaces and strengthening essential services in one of Punjab’s major tourist destinations.
Murree regularly faces traffic bottlenecks during peak tourist seasons, when large numbers of visitors put pressure on its narrow roads, parking facilities and public infrastructure.
The proposed link roads are intended to help ease movement across the area, although the available announcement does not specify their individual routes or completion dates.
Road Widening Work Under Way in Murree
Construction and upgrading work has already begun at several locations under the development programme.
Road-widening work is under way on Upper Jhika Gali, Hall Road and Imtiaz Shaheed Road. Murree Road and Kashmir Road are also being upgraded to state highway status as part of the broader transport infrastructure plan.
The improvements are intended to increase road capacity and support smoother movement through busy parts of the hill station.
The programme also includes plans for multi-storey parking plazas to address the shortage of parking spaces. Such facilities could help reduce roadside parking and improve traffic flow, particularly during periods of heavy tourist activity.
Mall Road to Undergo Heritage Restoration
The development plan includes the restoration of Murree’s historic Mall Road, with 23 heritage buildings and 76 shops scheduled to be renovated according to their original architectural designs.
The Walled City Authority has been allocated Rs550 million for Mall Road’s beautification and the installation of uniform signboards.
The restoration component is intended to improve the appearance of the historic commercial area while preserving its architectural character.
The programme also calls for the demolition of illegal three-storey structures affecting the natural landscape along Mall Road, Hall Road and Imtiaz Shaheed Road. The affected spaces are planned to be replaced with parks and green areas.
Implementation will need to balance improvements to public spaces with the protection of heritage features and compliance with applicable planning and building regulations.
Signal-Free Corridor Project Deferred
While several road and beautification projects are moving ahead, the proposed Murree Road signal-free corridor has been deferred for one year because of financial constraints.
The delay means the corridor will not proceed on the original schedule, although other components of the wider development programme are continuing.
The revised timeline and funding arrangements for the corridor have not been detailed in the reported announcement.
Wider Plan Targets Tourism and Essential Services
Beyond roads and parking, the Rs1.4735 billion Murree Development Programme includes improvements to infrastructure, beautification and water supply.
The broader objective is to make Murree a safer, more accessible and environmentally friendly tourist destination.
The effectiveness of the programme will depend on the completion of the planned works, maintenance of upgraded roads and parking facilities, and measures to manage traffic during peak visitor periods.
For residents and tourists, the main indicators of progress will be whether the projects reduce congestion, improve access to public spaces and protect the hill station’s distinctive natural and historic character.
