Murree tourist sites stay shut during peak summer season

MURREE: Two of Murree’s main tourist attractions, the Patriata Cable Car and the Kashmir Point Safari Train, have remained closed for the past three months despite the height of the summer travel season, affecting visitors and local businesses.

The continuing suspension has drawn criticism over the management of tourism facilities in the hill station. Visitors and local sources have alleged that weak planning, negligence and poor maintenance by the Punjab Tourism Development Corporation left both services out of operation.

Millions of rupees were spent last year on repair and maintenance work for the Patriata Cable Car, including the hiring of a foreign company. However, the system reportedly developed faults again soon afterward, prompting questions about the standard of the work and possible financial irregularities.

The Kashmir Point Safari Train has also been inactive for an extended period. Although officials have repeatedly said it would be restored, no practical progress has been made so far. Tourists and residents say the two facilities are central to Murree’s tourism sector, and their closure has left many visitors disappointed while hurting tourism-linked economic activity in the area, according to local business circles.