ISLAMABAD: The widespread propaganda against the local people after the Murri tragedy has been exaggerated by the investigative committee. In contrast, "the committee learned of the selfless acts of support of local individuals and hotels."
The report said, “Some of the stranded tourists complained of overcharging for food items and bus/taxi fares. Overall, incidents of exploitation by the local population were exaggerated.”
In the investigation report submitted to the Punjab Chief Minister on Wednesday, the administration has been held responsible for the tragedy. According to the report, 'DC Rawalpindi and AC Murri held a coordination meeting with the Hotel Association to provide emergency accommodation. The Vice President of the Hotel Association also confirmed that meetings have been held with the local administration of Muri for the convenience of the tourists. However, once the blizzard begins, there is limited evidence that the administration coordinated with hotels to move tourists to a safer location. Further, the committee did not get any SOP on how the service and support would be obtained from the hotels and what would be the level of support i.e. the number of free rooms. The committee learned about the selfless acts of support of local individuals and hotels. At the same time, some stranded tourists complained of overcharging for food items and bus/taxi fares. Overall, incidents of exploitation by the local population were exaggerated.”
The report said that the Pakistan Meteorological Department's (PMD) warning of heavy snowfall in Muri from January 6 to January 9, 2022 and its implications for traffic were clear, while the NDMA's letter dated January 5, 2022 to divert traffic There were clear instructions to do so and divert traffic to save waiting areas. It is noted that these warnings were sent to DG PDMA in Punjab only on January 5, 2022. Incidentally, the post of DG PDMA was vacant as the previous DG had demitted on January 3, 2022. Nevertheless, the PMD's warning was shared. PDMA Punjab Info Desk” WhatsApp group which included both Commissioner Rawalpindi and DC Rawalpindi.
The report said that the NDMA alert was sent to the PDMA control room WhatsApp number, which was not even opened by the PDMA director till January 18, 2022. The committee scrutinized the Twitter accounts, websites and Facebook pages of DC Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi Police, Rawalpindi Traffic Police. PDMA and NHA. With reference to the specific weather advisory dated January 5, 2022, no warnings were issued to citizens by any organization not to travel to Muri before January 7, 2022. The PDMA had also not posted the January 5 travel advisory. 2022 either on its website or Twitter account.
The police's performance was unsatisfactory, particularly the inability to regulate traffic or take corrective measures, especially considering the unruly conduct of tourists and the excessive influx of vehicles and visitors. Slow decision making and sluggish implementation led to irreparable delay in traffic management and safe evacuation of tourists from Muri.
The report said that there are two officers in the C&W department - one XEN and SDO - who are specifically responsible for snow clearance in Muri. Apart from these, XEN Highway is responsible for the maintenance of the roads. Their contingency plan did not specify the names of operators, availability of salt/diesel, coordination mechanism with other departments and deployment of machinery. Although C&W officials claim that substantial provisions were made for POL, there is evidence that some operators sought fuel from certain establishments, including the Pearl Continental Hotel. Due to poor planning and delay in decision making, machinery/equipment got stuck in traffic making snow removal ineffective, complicating the situation.
According to the report, Punjab Emergency Services Department (Rescue1122) has a strong presence in Murree. The department prepared a contingency plan and circulated it on 22nd November, 2021. It was able to deploy eight fully equipped ambulances along with 3 PTS ambulances. However, one of the most serious complaints against the employees was that they refused to go into the snow down the road from Kuldana intersection towards Barion to rescue the trapped people. Rescue 1122 was also tasked with bringing in the rescue crane but this was not arranged even though it was recorded in the minutes of the meeting organized by the Station Commander and AC Murree.
The investigation revealed that during the blizzard, the entire administrative, rescue and support system made limited efforts to rescue the stranded tourists. More and more, aid was provided near main squares or near main streets with shops and hotels. The Forest Department and IESCO officials remained absent except for one or two posts during the severe blizzard to clear the fallen trees and electric poles. His absence made the situation worse during the blizzard. The ACs and ASPs who were expected to adopt a multi-pronged approach were pushing cars which should have been done by the warden.
According to the report, the major flaws include the following:
a. Failure of risk assessment and inadequate transmission of warnings through right channels and right quarters to the concerned authorities.
b. Lack of leadership by the administration at all levels – divisional, district and tehsil – which was reflected in poor planning, skewed risk assessment and sub-optimal implementation.
C. Failure to set up a proper control room at district level at Muri with representatives of all concerned federal and provincial entities.
D. There has been almost no follow-up to ensure the deployment of assets such as snow removal machinery and the necessary verification of prior actions. Completely relied on verbal confirmation.
I. Lack of coordination among departments to work in an integrated manner to help the stranded tourists.
The investigation report held 15 officers responsible for the malpractices and recommended the following to Murree:
I. Murri can be given district status.
Second Automatic entry-exit points to be set up for counting the entry and exit of vehicles from Muri on real time basis. This may be linked to a "Visit Muri" application that can issue entry permits or tickets to tourists based on the absorption capacity of the local infrastructure.
iii. A comprehensive master-plan of Muri may be prepared and implemented for future development and promotion of Muri as a preferred tourist destination.
iv. Strict building code regulations should be developed and implemented, land use controls should be strictly enforced and illegal buildings and structures should be immediately demolished.
v. A modern early warning system with PMD may be installed at Murree to warn the officials, tourists and travellers.
vi. The Department of Tourism Services can be strengthened by appropriate human and material resources. Regulatory framework for various tourist and allied services may be developed and implemented.
vii. Official use of WhatsApp, especially for transmission of official documents and information, should be discouraged in line with federal government directives and policies.
viii. A Joint Management Committee under the co-ordination of the Deputy Commissioner and the Station Commander, Pakistan Army may be constituted for upgradation and implementation of the master plan for MURI.
ix. Safe city infrastructure can be set up in Muri.
X. All snow clearing management services should be equipped with modern gadgetry, snow-generating equipment and appropriate gear.