A spokesperson of the Punjab government told the media on Tuesday that on the direction of Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, necessary funds had been released for uplift and renovation of Patriata Chairlift in New Murree hills.
The spokesperson said that a separate electricity line would be provided for Patriata Chairlift under the uplift and renovation plan.
The Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) had demanded release of around Rs 90 million as part of the uplift plan while an additional amount of Rs 50 million was sought for provision of a dedicated electricity supply line for the chairlift.
The chairlift connecting three picnic points was inaugurated back in 1990 and even after the passage of 25 years, TDCP had not undertaken any major uplift plan for the recreational spot in the Murree hills.
The renovation project includes the cost for provision of new chairs replacing the existing older ones with a fit-in canopy to protect the riders from cold winds during snowy winters.
In addition to the renovation, management of the chairlift has launched public awareness program through display of various banners and hoardings with regard to keeping the environment clean at the hill resorts and avoiding throwing litter.
Punjab government reportedly has also approved the master plan to carry out studies to make the existing picnic resorts in the area at par with the international standards.
The chairlift is source of major earnings for the TDCP and earns millions of rupees in revenue for the provincial government.
