JAMMU: The world-famous tourist spot of Gulmarg in Baramula district was in news for the wrong reasons on Monday as the cable car (known as Gondola) developed a technical malfunction. In all, about 300 tourists in 65 cabins had to be rescued over seven hours by multiple teams of the Army, the police and other agencies. Fortunately, there was no casualty though bringing down tourists from the cabins to ground using emergency measures was an imminently forgettable nightmare they endured.
A major rescue operation, which drew resources and daredevils, volunteers, had to be launched soon after the system malfunctioned around noon. The safe evacuation of tourists from some cabins took longer as these were hovering at a height of nearly 500 ft above ground and the condition can only be imagined.
As if malfunctioning cable car was not enough, heavy rains in the area hampered the efforts. This sure was one cable car ride and a trip to Gulmarg that these tourists are not going to forget as long as they live.
Senior officials from the state government and multiple agencies remained stationed for long hours as the rescue efforts continued.
Whether it was dereliction of duty by some quarters, or poor maintenance, that led to the episode, it is not clear so far. However, a cable car of this nature which caters to thousands of people have to be fail safe under all circumstances.
This cable car, popularly known as Gulmarg Gandola, is billed as the Asia’s highest ropeway. During times of rush, tourists wait for hours to get tickets and then ride, along with whole families, including children. Yet, an incident of this nature forces one to ask the inevitable question: Are safety standards and protocols being compromised for making fast bucks, thereby putting the tourists in danger?
“The rescue operation has concluded, and all the stranded persons have been evacuated safely,” an official said late on Monday evening. Operations of both phases of the Gulmarg cable car service were suspended following a malfunction.
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. Trained teams used ropes and ladders to bring the tourists down safely.
Restoration work on the cable car system is currently underway, the officials said.
It needs to be pointed out here that in the recent past, a private helicopter that ferries tourists to higher reaches had developed a technical snag, leaving dozens of tourists stranded. The day was saved by the pilots of the Army stationed at Badami Bagh cantonment in Srinagar.
Normal tourist activities like joy rides to far-flung higher areas on helicopter and cable car cannot be classified by any stretch of imagination as adventure activities. However, at Gulmarg, known for its ski slopes, something seems to be amiss as far as safety of tourists is concerned. Neither bravery, nor bravado, is needed in making their safety as top priority.
In case of Gulmarg, it has been a case of twice lucky already as the May 8 helicopter incident is not too old.
In June 2017, the same Gulmarg Gondola had witnessed an accident in which seven people were killed. This had happened after a tree got uprooted by strong winds and it struck a cabin, causing it to crash to the ground. Whether the Gondola should have been allowed to be operated in inclement weather amid strong winds was not a question asked then.
