Has Murree and Galiyat Been Closed Off to Tourists?
In the last couple of days, media outlets have reported that there is an ongoing ban on tourists from entering Murree and Galiyat. According to the reports, the heavy snowfall in these areas has led to road closure and travel restrictions, as the local administration banned tourist entry to prevent travel difficulties.
The same media reports added that Murree Expressway was closed from 17th Mil Toll Plaza while the highway department was actively working on clearing the snow from the roads. The administration is sprinkling salt to prevent vehicles from slipping on the icy roads, the reports suggested, quoting the local officials.
Is There Actually a Ban?
To confirm the authenticity of the news, PakWheels contacted the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP). In answer to the question, the TDCP spokesperson told us that the news was not true. “We didn’t receive any update about such news,” he further said.
Precautions for Driving in Snow
The hill station has recently received heavy snowfall, and if you are planning to visit the area, here are some precautions and tips to follow for your safety.
Car Tyre Chains
The recent tragedy highlights the importance of car snow chains, which tourists usually ignore. Before leaving for any land of snow, BUY THESE CHAINS. You can find it easily on the market or at our auto store. Keep them in your trunk and enjoy a smooth ride on snowy roads in any hill station. These chains can literally be lifesavers.
See Weather Forecast
This is the era of technology, and we can use it for our benefit very easily. We can know about the weather days ahead through different apps and Google updates. So, before planning any trip, especially in winter, always check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. It will help you and save you from any serious hassle.
Replace Water with Coolant
This may be the most important tip for you, as most of us don’t follow it. Almost all of us use water in the car instead of coolant, which can lead to a severe issue. In frigid weather, the water freezes inside the carburetor, meaning the vehicle will not start again once switched off. On the other hand, most of us think that coolant means ‘cool’ and that it will not work in winter, which is totally wrong. The coolant has anti-freezing agents and doesn’t freeze in severe cold. In short, replace water with coolant and drive with a healthy engine.
Battery Health
Always, let us repeat it, always check the health of your battery before leaving on a trip in winter. Because a weak battery will cause serious problems for you because, in winter, cars mostly take more time to start, and in that case, a weak battery will drain out instantly, and then it will not start easily. So, before such trips, either get your battery completely charged or replace it with a new one.
Pre-Book Hotel/Room
Many of us plan such trips with the idea Jaa K Dekh Lengy, Kahien Na Kahien Tow Mil he Jayga. Please don’t do it; always pre-book your hotel or room, especially during peak season. This will save you from aimless search, potentially during snowfall and rush. And if you do find a room, it will be very expensive and may be out of your budget. Be sensible and book before leaving your home.
Take a U-Turn – Sometimes Its Useful
You reach near a hill station, see a long line of cars, and there are no signs of movement, and the weather is terrible, take a U-Turn and come back because it will be beneficial for you and your family. Do one better: use Google Maps, and if it shows a long red line, it means the traffic is blocked. So, be careful and don’t go there or if it is nearby, you know what to do? Take a U-Turn.