New Delhi: A major rescue operation was carried out in Jammu and Kashmir’s Gulmarg on Sunday after a technical malfunction in the famous Gulmarg Gondola left nearly 300 tourists stranded mid-air for several hours.
The incident occurred around 1 pm when operations in the first phase of the cable car service were suddenly disrupted due to a technical fault. The breakdown caused several chair cars to stop while suspended above the mountainous terrain, triggering panic among tourists enjoying the scenic ride.
Rescue efforts were launched immediately, involving teams from the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, paramilitary forces and Civil Defence authorities. Rescue personnel worked for hours to safely evacuate all stranded passengers from the halted cable cars.
Officials said the technical issue affected the first phase of the Gondola service, which connects the Gulmarg bowl area to Kangdori. The second phase of the cable car extends further up to Apharwat Peak, located at an altitude of nearly 4,000 metres.
Visuals from the tourist destination showed anxious passengers trapped high above the ground while rescue teams coordinated evacuation efforts in challenging mountain conditions. Senior government officials, including Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, reached the site to monitor and supervise the rescue operation.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah later praised the rescue teams for ensuring the safe evacuation of all tourists. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also stated that they were closely monitoring the situation and had directed authorities to use all available resources for the operation.
Officials said the exact reason behind the technical snag has not yet been determined and an investigation is expected to follow.
The Gulmarg Gondola is considered one of Asia’s highest cable car projects and remains one of Kashmir’s most popular tourist attractions, drawing visitors from across India and abroad with its panoramic Himalayan views and snow-covered landscapes.
