Tourism – Gulmarg Gondola Services Resume After Month-Long Technical Closure
Tourism – The Gulmarg Gondola, one of Kashmir’s most visited attractions, is once again welcoming passengers after authorities completed extensive repairs and safety inspections following a month-long suspension.
The iconic cable car service at Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir resumed operations on Thursday, bringing relief to tourists and local businesses that depend heavily on the region’s tourism industry. The service had remained shut for nearly a month after a technical issue disrupted operations and led to a large-scale rescue effort involving hundreds of visitors.
Operations Restart Following Safety Approval
The gondola service was suspended on May 25 after a technical malfunction halted the cable cars, leaving more than 300 tourists stranded inside cabins suspended above the mountains. Emergency teams from the Cable Car Corporation, Jammu and Kashmir Police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Indian Army worked together to safely evacuate every passenger. No injuries were reported during the rescue operation.
Following the incident, engineers carried out detailed inspections, repaired the affected systems, and performed comprehensive safety evaluations before allowing the cable car to reopen. Officials confirmed that multiple trial runs conducted over the past two days produced satisfactory results, paving the way for the restoration of regular passenger services.
Relief for the Local Tourism Economy
The temporary closure had a noticeable impact on Gulmarg’s tourism-driven economy. Many local residents whose livelihoods depend on visitor activity, including tourist guides, photographers, pony operators, travel agencies, and hotel owners, experienced reduced business during the suspension.
With the gondola now back in operation, tourism stakeholders expect visitor numbers to increase as the peak summer travel season gathers momentum. Local business owners are optimistic that the reopening will help restore economic activity and improve earnings after several challenging weeks.
A Landmark Attraction in the Himalayas
The Gulmarg Gondola is internationally recognised as one of the world’s highest and longest cable car systems. It attracts thousands of domestic and international tourists every year, offering panoramic views of the surrounding Himalayan landscape while providing access to high-altitude destinations popular with sightseeing enthusiasts and winter sports lovers.
The two-stage ropeway is designed to transport nearly 600 passengers every hour between Gulmarg and Kongdoori Mountain, situated on the slopes of Afarwat Peak. The system plays an important role in supporting tourism throughout the year, particularly during the winter skiing season and the summer holiday period.
Development of the Ropeway Project
The gondola project was developed through a partnership between the Jammu and Kashmir government and French engineering company Pomagalski. The first phase, inaugurated in 1998, connects Gulmarg at an elevation of around 2,650 metres with Kongdoori Station located in the scenic Kongdoori Valley.
The second phase, featuring 36 cabins supported by 18 towers, extends the journey to nearly 3,980 metres close to Afarwat Peak. Completed in approximately two years at a cost of Rs 18 crore, this section was officially opened on May 28, 2005, significantly enhancing Gulmarg’s reputation as one of India’s premier mountain tourism destinations.