Aaqib Khan
Srinagar, May 25 : The Gulmarg Gondola service in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district will remain suspended for two days for technical maintenance following a major disruption that left hundreds of tourists stranded mid-air for several hours on Monday, officials said.
Managing Director of the Cable Car Corporation, Syed Qamar Sajjad, confirmed the development to KNS and said the service will stay closed on May 26 and 27 as a precautionary measure.
“All bookings for May 25, 26 and 27 will be refunded in full,” Sajjad said, while expressing regret over the inconvenience caused to tourists and visitors.
The decision came after a technical fault halted the cable car service around 1:20 pm, triggering panic among tourists at the popular ski resort.
Officials said nearly 400 tourists stranded in different cabins were rescued safely after a massive joint operation carried out by the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, SDRF, NDRF and civil administration.
They said technical teams have begun a detailed inspection and maintenance process to identify and rectify the fault before operations are resumed.
Authorities said the gondola service will restart only after all safety protocols and technical checks are completed.
The Gulmarg Gondola, one of Kashmir’s major tourist attractions, receives heavy tourist footfall during the summer season. No injuries were reported in Monday’s incident, officials added.(KNS).
