There was chaos in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir on Monday afternoon when Gulmarg Gondola, the world’s third highest ropeway, suddenly developed a technical snag. At around 2:30 pm, all the cabins of the gondola, carrying more than 300 tourists, stopped mid-air. According to army officials, a total of 65 cabins remained stuck in the air. Each cabin has a seating capacity of maximum 6 people. Relief and rescue operations were immediately launched at the spot after the incident. Teams of Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, SDRF and NDRF are continuously engaged in the rescue operation.
By 7 p.m., 151 people had been safely evacuated using ropes and ladders, while tourists were still trapped in 25 cabins, including women, children, and the elderly. Officials say it may take a few more hours to safely evacuate all passengers. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far. The Gulmarg Gondola operates in two stages. The first stage connects Gulmarg to Kongdori, while the second stage runs from Kongdori to Apharwat station. A total of 108 cabins operate on both routes.
According to sources, the gondola also experienced a technical problem on Sunday. Service was resumed after repairs, but the second malfunction within 24 hours has raised questions about safety. It’s worth noting that a major accident occurred on the Gulmarg Gondola on June 25, 2017. During a strong storm, a tree fell on the cable line, causing a cabin to sway violently and shatter its windows. Seven people died after falling approximately 100 feet.
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