Daijiworld Media Network - Srinagar
Srinagar, May 31: Operations of the renowned Gulmarg Gondola cable car service are scheduled to resume on Tuesday following the completion of extensive safety inspections and a final technical trial, officials confirmed on Sunday.
According to authorities, a team of experts will conduct a comprehensive test run on Monday to evaluate the system's operational reliability and safety standards before public services are restored.
The announcement has been welcomed by tourists and stakeholders in the tourism sector, as the Gulmarg Gondola remains one of Kashmir's most popular attractions and a major draw for visitors to the hill resort.
The cable car service has remained suspended since May 25 after a technical malfunction disrupted operations across both phases of the system. As a precautionary measure, authorities halted services and initiated detailed maintenance and inspection work. During the shutdown period, all tickets booked for travel between May 25 and June 1 were refunded in full.
The suspension followed a major incident in which approximately 320 tourists were stranded in cable car cabins after the system experienced a complete operational failure. Passengers were left suspended across 65 cabins spread over the mountainous terrain, with some cabins hanging nearly 500 feet above the ground.
A large-scale rescue operation involving the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local administration was immediately launched. Despite challenging weather conditions and difficult terrain, rescue teams used snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles to access the affected areas and carry out a complex manual evacuation process.
The six-hour operation concluded successfully, with all stranded passengers brought to safety without any major injuries.
Following the incident, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed authorities to conduct a detailed investigation into the cause of the technical failure.
While repair work has been completed and preparations for reopening are underway, the inquiry into the malfunction remains ongoing. Officials have yet to identify responsibility for the breakdown that forced the temporary closure of the facility.
The suspension of services during the peak tourist season is believed to have impacted visitor activity in Gulmarg and resulted in significant revenue losses for the cable car corporation and businesses dependent on tourism in the region.
With the final safety assessment scheduled for Monday, authorities expect normal operations to resume from June 3, restoring access to one of the country's most iconic mountain tourism experiences.