By Aaqib Khan
Gulmarg, June 24 : The Gulmarg Gondola, one of Kashmir’s premier tourist attractions, is set to resume operations from tomorrow after remaining closed for one month following a technical fault that occurred on May 25, 2026.
The technical snag had left over 300 tourists stranded in various cabins, triggering a major rescue operation involving the Gondola’s technical and rescue teams, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). After several hours of coordinated efforts, all stranded tourists were evacuated safely.
The suspension of Gondola services had severely impacted hundreds of people dependent on tourism in Gulmarg, including guides, photographers, pony handlers, tour operators, and other stakeholders. The closure also affected tourism-related economic activity in the area, causing concern among local residents and business owners.
Over the past several weeks, the Cable Car Corporation’s technical team worked extensively to rectify the fault and address all technical issues. Sources said that trial runs conducted over the past two days were successful, indicating that the system is ready for operations. According to sources, following the successful trials and completion of necessary technical assessments, the Gulmarg Gondola is expected to resume services from tomorrow.
The decision has brought much-needed relief to local stakeholders who have been eagerly awaiting the restoration of services. They expressed hope that the reopening would revive tourism activity and help restore the livelihoods of those affected by the closure.
Notably, during the rescue operation, Managing Director of the Cable Car Corporation, Syed Qamar Sajad, personally supervised the evacuation efforts on the ground. The operation, carried out with the assistance of police and SDRF personnel, ensured the safe rescue of all stranded tourists and was widely appreciated for its swift and coordinated response. (KNS)
