Govt orders probe into Gulmarg Gondola malfunction

Srinagar, Jun 10: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has constituted a five-member committee to investigate the technical malfunction reported in the Gulmarg Gondola system on May 25, directing a comprehensive examination of the circumstances that led to the incident.
According to Government Order No. 1065-JK(GAD) of 2026 dated June 10, sanction has been accorded to the formation of the committee to inquire into the events surrounding the malfunction of the cable car system at Gulmarg.
The committee will be headed by Mahmood Ahmad Shah, Managing Director of the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (JKPDCL). Other members include Vikas Gupta, Director Tourism Jammu; Tariq Hussain, Chief Executive Officer of the Gulmarg Development Authority; Javeed Ahmad Tantray, In-charge Superintending Engineer, Mechanical and Hospital Circle Kashmir; and Mohammad Ismail Chechi, Executive Engineer, Mechanical and Hospital Division Baramulla.
The government has tasked the panel with establishing the complete sequence of events leading to the malfunction, including the circumstances preceding, during and after the incident.
The committee has also been directed to conduct a detailed technical examination of the nature and cause of the failure, including scrutiny of the mechanical, electrical, electronic, braking, communication, control and safety systems associated with the gondola operation.
In addition, the panel will review operational logs, fault indications, monitoring systems, alarms, inspection reports, maintenance records and other relevant technical documentation linked to the incident.
The terms of reference further require the committee to examine existing standard operating procedures, maintenance protocols, inspection mechanisms and safety procedures governing the functioning of the cable car system and assess whether prescribed norms were followed.
The Gulmarg Gondola, one of the highest cable car systems in the world and a major tourist attraction in Kashmir, draws thousands of visitors annually and serves as a key component of the region’s tourism infrastructure.
The committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations after completing the inquiry. [KNT]