Kashmir's Gulmarg Gondola set to resume operations from today
Srinagar, June 25
The famous cable car project, the Gulmarg Gondola, will resume operations on Thursday in Jammu and Kashmir's ski resort, Gulmarg.
A major tourist attraction in the Valley, Gulmarg Gondola, remained closed for nearly a month following a technical malfunction.
The Gondola service was suspended on May 25 after a technical snag left over 300 tourists stranded in hanging cabins, prompting a large-scale rescue operation involving the Cable Car Corporation, Jammu and Kashmir Police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Army.
All passengers were safely evacuated in the joint rescue effort. Officials said technical teams worked for weeks to repair the fault and carry out safety checks.
Trial runs conducted over the past two days were successful, and the system has been cleared for passenger operations.
The suspension affected the local tourism-dependent economy in Gulmarg, impacting guides, photographers, pony operators, tour operators and hotel owners.
Tourism stakeholders welcomed the reopening, expressing hope that the resumption of services will boost visitor numbers and help restore livelihoods ahead of the peak summer season.
Gulmarg Gondola is widely recognised as the second-longest and the second-highest cable car project in the world. Higher lines include the Mi Teleférico in Bolivia and at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
The two-stage gondola lift ferries about 600 people per hour to and from Kongdoori Mountain, a shoulder of nearby Afarwat Peak at 4,260 metres altitude.
The ropeway project is a joint venture of the Jammu and Kashmir government and the French firm Pomagalski. The first stage transfers from the Gulmarg resort at 2,650 metres to Kongdoori Station in the bowl-shaped Kongdoori Valley. The second stage of the ropeway, which has 36 cabins and 18 towers, takes skiers to a height of 3,980 metres near the Afarwat Peak.
The second stage was completed in a record time of about two years for Rs 18 crore and opened on May 28, 2005. The French company had also built the first phase of the gondola project, connecting Gulmarg to Kongdoori, in 1998.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Great news for tourism! This gondola is a lifeline for local businesses—guides, hotel owners, everyone was struggling. But honestly, a month-long shutdown for a technical snag? That's too long. The government should have backup plans to avoid such delays. Still, glad it's back.
Second-highest cable car in the world—proud moment for Kashmir! 🏔️ But we need regular maintenance, not just after accidents. The French company Pomagalski did a good job, but Indian authorities must ensure daily checks. Tourist safety should never be compromised.
The view from Kongdoori is breathtaking—worth every rupee. But can we talk about the price? Tickets are steep for local families. Maybe offer discounts for Kashmiris? Tourism is important, but so is making it accessible for everyone.
As a tourist from the US who visited Gulmarg last year, this is a relief. The gondola is a must-do. But I heard safety standards need improvement—300 stranded is unacceptable. Hope the joint venture with France takes lessons from international best practices.
I'm just glad no one was hurt in that incident. The Army and SDRF did a fantastic job. But this highlights how fragile our tourism infrastructure is. We need multiple gondolas or alternate routes to avoid complete shutdowns. Peak season is coming—hope this doesn't happen again.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.