Gulmarg, May 25: A major technical malfunction in the Gulmarg Gondola cable car system left over 300 tourists stranded mid-air for several hours, triggering a large-scale rescue effort. The incident, which affected operations of Asia’s highest ropeway, occurred amidst heavy rainfall, further complicating the evacuation process. Passengers were trapped inside 65 cabins, some as high as 500 feet above the ground, causing considerable alarm among those affected.
A coordinated rescue operation, involving multiple agencies, was launched immediately to ensure the safe retrieval of all stranded individuals. The effort, which lasted approximately seven hours, included teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps. The teams utilized ropes and ladders to carefully extract the tourists from the suspended cabins. According to officials involved in the operation, all passengers were successfully evacuated by late evening.
Information reaching TahirRihat.com suggests that both phases of the Gulmarg Gondola cable car service were suspended immediately following the technical glitch, which occurred around noon. The challenging weather conditions, characterized by heavy rain, added to the complexity of the rescue mission. Despite these obstacles, the combined efforts of the various agencies ensured the safe return of all those stranded. The incident occurred a day after a 16-year-old boy died in Agra when a zipline cable snapped, causing him to fall a significant distance.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah addressed the situation earlier in the day, stating that his government was closely monitoring the rescue operations. He reassured the public that all cabins were intact and that trained teams were on the ground to safely evacuate the stranded tourists. Abdullah conveyed that the situation was under control and there was no cause for panic. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, accompanied by local MLA Farooq Ahmed Shah and senior administrative officials, visited the tourist resort to oversee the ground coordination, acting on the instructions of the Chief Minister.
The challenging altitude and technical extraction protocols contributed to the length of the rescue operation, especially given that numerous cabins were suspended at a height of 500 feet. Efforts were focused on systematically clearing the cabins one by one, ensuring the safety of each passenger during the descent. Initially, 179 tourists were brought down by late afternoon, with the remaining individuals evacuated in subsequent phases.
Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha directed DGP Nalin Prabhat to proceed to Gulmarg to personally oversee the rescue operation. Sinha communicated his oversight of the situation via a post on X, noting that joint rescue teams from the Police, Army, and SDRF, along with the Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police, were actively involved in the operation to ensure the safety of all tourists. The Army also acknowledged the coordinated rescue efforts, confirming the Chinar Corps’ assistance in the operation via a post on X.
The Gulmarg Gondola, recognized as one of the highest cable cars in Asia, has experienced prior technical issues, including a temporary suspension in January of the previous year. A more severe incident occurred on June 25, 2017, when a falling tree struck a cabin during high winds, resulting in a crash that tragically claimed seven lives. The latest incident has raised concerns regarding the safety and maintenance of the popular tourist attraction.
The Daily Excelsior reported that the current incident occurred a day after a 16-year-old boy died in Agra after a zipline cable snapped at an amusement facility there, causing him to fall nearly 45 ft. The Gulmarg Gondola is a major attraction for tourists visiting the region. The cable car operates in two stages, transporting visitors to higher altitudes for panoramic views and winter sports activities. The recent technical halt has prompted authorities to review safety measures and maintenance protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. The successful rescue operation has been commended, highlighting the collaborative efforts of the various agencies involved.
As of now, authorities are investigating the cause of the technical snag to prevent recurrence. The Daily Excelsior‘s coverage underscores the importance of safety and maintenance in operating such high-altitude transportation systems, particularly in regions prone to inclement weather. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses and the Gulmarg Gondola prepares to resume operations.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.