Jammu and Kashmir: Gulmarg's gondola service halted due to technical snag | Watch

Around 300 tourists travelling in 65 cabins were left stranded mid-air for several hours on Monday after a technical fault disrupted the cable car system in Gulmarg, while heavy rain further complicated rescue efforts, PTI reported.

PTI reported, citing officials, that a large-scale rescue operation involving multiple agencies was launched soon after the malfunction occurred around noon. Within the first five hours, 179 tourists were safely evacuated. Some cabins were reportedly suspended nearly 500 feet above the ground.

Continuous rainfall in the area also affected rescue operations, officials added.

Services in both phases of the Gulmarg cable car system, popularly known as the Gondola, were suspended following the technical snag. No casualties were reported.

Meanwhile, over 200 stranded tourists have been rescued by elements of SDRF, Gulmarg Police, SOG, Snow Leopards and personnel of J&K Armed Police (including 14 Mountain Rescue Teams). Teams of NDRF and HAWS are also making exemplary contributions to this team effort, said the Jammu and Kashmir Police

Personnel of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along with police and the Army were involved in the rescue effort.

Restoration work on the cable car system is currently underway, the officials said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in a post on X, “Applause to India’s disaster response forces for safely rescuing 300 tourists stranded mid-air in cable cars in Gulmarg, Kashmir. The disaster response teams comprising the SDRF, NDRF, Army personnel, local police, and the administration swung into action and rescued all the passengers stranded in 65 cable cars through a six-hour-long operation. The nation salutes the forces for their valour and skill.”

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the government is "closely monitoring" the situation.

Office of J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted, “Government is closely monitoring the situation at the Gulmarg Gondola after the cable car service was temporarily halted due to a technical fault. All cabins remain 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.”

Officials said hundreds of tourists who were enjoying the ride were rescued safely from the cabins by personnel of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

Restoration work on the cable car system is currently underway, officials said.

On June 25, 2017 the Gulmarg Gondola had earlier witnessed an accident , when seven people were killed after a tree uprooted by strong winds struck a cabin, causing it to crash to the ground.

The cable car had also been temporarily suspended in January last year because of technical issues.

The Army said in a post on X that 65 cabins were stranded in the incident and swift and coordinated rescue efforts were launched with the assistance of Chinar Corps.

“Large Scale Rescue Operations at Gulmarg Gandola by Trained Teams in Progress. Swift and coordinated rescue efforts by Chinar Corps, Indian Army and Gulmarg Gandola operators are underway after ropeway cabins got stranded mid-air. 65 cabins were stranded and till now 80 passengers from 16 cabins have been safely rescued. Rescue operations for the remaining cabins are in progress. Stay tuned for further updates,” Northern Command of the Indian Army said in a post on X.

(With inputs from agencies)