Over 300 tourists stranded in Gulmarg Gondola in J&K rescued after technical snag halted its operations

In Jammu and Kashmir, all tourists stranded in cabins of the Gulmarg Gondola ropeway have been rescued safely after a major technical snag halted operations at the famous tourist resort.

Officials said more than 300 tourists were trapped inside 65 cabins of the cable car, some hanging nearly 500 feet above the ground, triggering panic among tourists, including women and children. Emergency evacuation protocols were activated immediately.

A massive seven-hour rescue operation was launched jointly by teams of the NDRF, SDRF, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army’s Chinar Corps, and local administration. All passengers were brought to safety without any injuries.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said he monitored the rescue operation continuously and directed senior officials, including the DGP, to oversee rescue efforts on the ground.

Managing Director of the Cable Car Corporation, Syed Qamar Sajjad, said the incident was caused by a technical glitch and there was no major issue. Operations were temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced a probe into the malfunction and said action would be taken if any lapses were found. He also praised the coordinated efforts of all rescue agencies involved in the operation.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that the successful rescue of 3 hundred tourists stranded in cable cars in Gulmarg by a joint rescue team comprising the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, NDRF, SDRF, and civil administration reflects the swiftness, professionalism, courage, and coordination of India’s disaster response agencies.

In a social media post, Mr Singh lauded the efforts of the joint team for carrying out the challenging operation with efficiency and resolve.

The Defence Minister noted that the nation acknowledges and applauds the dedication and service of all personnel involved in this rescue operation.