Govt Forms Panel to Probe Gulmarg Gondola Malfunction
5-member committee to investigate May 25 incident that left 320 tourists stranded mid-air
Panel tasked with fixing responsibility, examining technical lapses and suggesting safeguards
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has constituted a five-member committee to investigate the May 25 technical malfunction in the Gulmarg Gondola system that left nearly 320 tourists stranded mid-air for several hours, triggering panic and a major rescue operation.
The committee has been directed to examine all aspects related to the incident, fix responsibility wherever warranted and submit its findings along with recommendations to the Tourism Department within 10 days.
According to an official order, the inquiry committee will be headed by Mahmood Ahmad Shah, Managing Director of Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL). The other members include Vikas Gupta, JKAS, Director Tourism Jammu; Tariq Hussain, JKAS, Chief Executive Officer Gulmarg Development Authority; Javeed Ahmad Tantray, I/c Superintending Engineer Mechanical & Hospital Circle Kashmir; and Mohammad Ismail Chechi, Executive Engineer Mechanical & Hospital Division Baramulla.
Pertinently, hundreds of tourists visiting the famous ski resort of Gulmarg were stranded in suspended gondola cabins after a technical snag disrupted operations on May 25. The passengers were later rescued safely following a coordinated operation by officials and rescue teams. Gondola services have remained suspended since the incident.
The government order states that the committee has been tasked with establishing the complete sequence of events leading to the malfunction, including circumstances before, during and after the incident.
The panel will conduct a detailed technical investigation into the nature and cause of the failure by examining the mechanical, electrical, electronic, braking, communication, control and safety systems associated with the gondola operation.
It will also review operational logs, fault indications, inspection reports, alarm systems, maintenance records and all relevant technical documentation linked to the incident.
The committee has further been directed to assess whether standard operating procedures (SOPs), maintenance protocols, inspection mechanisms and safety guidelines were being followed at the time of the malfunction.
Officials said the panel will determine whether any operational lapse, negligence, procedural deficiency, communication gap, supervisory failure, human error or administrative shortcoming contributed to the incident.
The inquiry will also examine compliance with statutory provisions, technical standards, manufacturer guidelines, certification requirements and prescribed maintenance schedules to identify any deviations or violations.
As part of the investigation, the panel will assess the effectiveness of the emergency response undertaken during and after the incident, including evacuation measures, communication systems, passenger safety protocols, inter-agency coordination and overall crisis management arrangements.
The committee has additionally been empowered to inspect the site, review official records, interact with technical experts, operators and contractors, and seek specialist assistance wherever necessary during the course of the inquiry.
The government has also asked the panel to recommend immediate corrective measures for the safe restoration of gondola services besides suggesting long-term technical and administrative safeguards to prevent recurrence of similar incidents in future.
