CM inspects restored cable car system, praises round-the-clock efforts after May incident that left 300 tourists stranded; high-level probe into malfunction continues
INAYAT QAYOOM
GULMARG, JUNE 25:
Nearly a month after a technical malfunction left around 300 tourists stranded mid-air in one of India’s most prominent ropeway systems, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday formally resumed operations of the Gulmarg Gondola and announced a cash reward of ₹50,000 each for personnel involved in the successful rescue operation. The Chief Minister personally inspected the restored facility at Kongdoori and reviewed safety measures put in place following the May 25 incident, while reiterating the government’s commitment to ensuring the highest standards of passenger safety.
During the visit, officials from the J&K Cable Car Corporation briefed the Chief Minister on the technical specifics of the restoration and the stringent safety audits conducted before clearing the service for public use.
Expressing his appreciation for the dedication of the entire corporation staff, the Chief Minister lauded their round-the-clock efforts in restoring this vital infrastructure project—one of the country’s premier tourist attractions—within a remarkably short span of time. To honor their exceptional service, the Chief Minister announced a reward of ₹50,000 for each official and crew member who participated in the swift relief and rescue operations during the technical glitch in May.
During the visit, the Chief Minister was accompanied by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Gulmarg Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Senior Superintendent of Police Baramulla, Managing Director of the J&K Cable Car Corporation Syed Qamar Sajad, the CEO of the Gulmarg Development Authority, and other senior officers.