RAWALPINDI: Jhika Gali in Murree will be widened and in this regard section 17 of the Land Acquisition Act has been imposed to remove kiosks and structures.

Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Aamir Khattak visited Jhika Gali road Murree to review its development plan.

Deputy Commissioner Murree Agha Zaheer Abbas Shirazi, Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue Kamran Sagheer, Assistant Commissioner Murree and other concerned officials were also present.

The commissioner was briefed on the progress of the Jhika Gali development plan. In addition to widening the chowk, the scope includes additional slip lines towards Barian Road and Kohala Bridge.

Its purpose is to solve the issue of traffic congestion and stabilise the slope which required land acquisition of 9.65 kanals.

The kiosks and structures have been removed from the site where the civil work will start.

According to the latest update, section 17 (4) & 6 have been issued.

The PPAC approval was accorded on February 24. In terms of the land acquisition, Rs997 million have been released to the district administration which is being distributed among the affected people.

Deadline of 12 months has been set for the completion of the project launched in April 2024.

Mr Khattak issued instructions to the concerned authorities regarding the Jhika Gali development plan and said Murree is the centre of tourism.

The ongoing development projects in Murree will be completed promptly.

He said the issue of road congestion will be resolved with this development plan.

Instructions have been issued to the concerned authorities for the swift implementation of the Jhika Gali development plan.

`The Murree administration should also keep the locals in the loop regarding this, he said.