New Delhi/ Srinagar, May 25 -- A major technical malfunction in the Gulmarg Gondola in north Kashmir on Monday left more than 300 tourists stranded mid-air for several hours, triggering a large-scale rescue operation involving the Army, disaster response teams, police, and civil administration. All passengers were eventually brought to safety after a seven-hour operation conducted in difficult weather conditions, officials said. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah later announced an inquiry into the incident, saying accountability would be fixed if any lapses were found.
The disruption occurred around noon when a technical fault, later linked to a gearbox malfunction, forced the suspension of the cable car service between the Base Station and Phase 1, known as Kongdori, in Gulmarg in Baramulla district. The breakdown affected the Gulmarg Gondola, one of Asia's highest ropeway systems and a major tourist attraction in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to officials, nearly 65 cable car cabins were caught in the shutdown, with passengers trapped inside, some at heights of nearly 500 feet above the ground. Authorities said 62 of the 65 gondola cars were impacted, while three were not in operation. Of the affected cabins, 52 had passengers inside while 10 were parked.
The rescue operation began shortly after authorities were alerted between 12:45 pm and 1 pm. Major General Manoj Joshi, General Officer Commanding of the 19 Division, said the Army responded after receiving a request from the Cable Car Corporation and the Baramulla district administration.
"Information about the malfunction was received around 12:45 pm to 1 pm. We were informed that a technical fault had developed in the gondola system after the gearbox malfunctioned," Joshi said.
He said rescue teams faced significant challenges because of rain and hailstorms, but operations continued with coordinated efforts from multiple agencies. The Indian Army, including personnel from the High Altitude Warfare School and Chinar Corps, joined teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Jammu and Kashmir Police, and district authorities.
Rescue personnel used ropes, ladders, and technical extraction methods to evacuate stranded passengers cabin by cabin. The Army also deployed Casualty Assistance Teams between the Gondola Base Station and Phase 1, along with an all-terrain vehicle to support evacuation in the rough terrain. Additional ATVs were arranged through the Gulmarg ATV Association.
By late afternoon, 179 tourists had been rescued. As the operation progressed, officials said 22 cable cars were evacuated from the base side, taking the number of rescued people to 286 by early evening. The remaining passengers were brought down in later phases, with officials confirming by night that the rescue mission had been completed successfully.
"The rescue operation has concluded, and all the stranded persons have been evacuated safely," an official said.
Authorities said all cabins remained stable throughout the incident and no injuries were reported. Stranded tourists were kept informed through public address systems and megaphones to prevent panic. Tea, refreshments, and basic assistance were arranged at the base station for those rescued.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the government closely monitored the situation while the rescue operation was underway.
"All cabins are intact and rescue operations to safely evacuate stranded tourists are underway with trained teams on the ground. The situation is completely under control and there is no cause for panic," he said in a post on X.
Later, the Chief Minister's Office said an investigation would be conducted into the malfunction.
"The incident will be thoroughly examined and an enquiry conducted. Responsibility for any lapses will be fixed and appropriate action taken," the office said, while also praising the agencies involved in the rescue.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said he personally monitored the operation and had directed Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat to proceed to Gulmarg to oversee the rescue efforts. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, along with local MLA Farooq Ahmed Shah and senior officials, also visited the site.
The Gulmarg Gondola has witnessed technical interruptions in the past, including a temporary suspension in January last year. A fatal accident in June 2017 claimed seven lives when a cabin crashed after an uprooted tree struck the ropeway during strong winds.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.