Gulmarg Gondola Reopens After Month-Long Halt, Tourists Rejoice
CM Omar says safety remained top priority before resumption of service
Visitors hail reopening as tourism sector eyes fresh boost in peak season
Srinagar: The iconic Gulmarg Gondola resumed operations on Thursday after remaining shut for nearly a month following a technical snag that had stranded more than 320 tourists mid-air on May 25, triggering widespread concern and temporarily affecting one of Kashmir’s biggest tourist attractions.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah formally reopened the cable car service during his visit to the resort and said the government deliberately avoided rushing the process to ensure complete passenger safety.
“The decision to restart the gondola was taken only after the original equipment manufacturer, French firm Puma, certified the repair work and maintenance procedures,” Omar told reporters.
He said the gearbox had been replaced within four to five days after the incident, but authorities waited for final safety clearance before allowing operations to resume.
The reopening brought visible excitement among tourists, many of whom had postponed their Gulmarg plans hoping the gondola would restart during their visit.
“We were disappointed when we heard the gondola was closed, but finally experiencing the ride today was absolutely breathtaking. Gulmarg feels complete again,” said Riya Sharma, a tourist from New Delhi.
“The reopening has brought life back to the resort. The views from Apharwat were unforgettable and it is reassuring that authorities prioritised safety before restarting the service,” said Ahmed Khan, a visitor from Bengaluru.
Omar said the administration had feared a decline in tourist arrivals after the suspension, but Gulmarg continued to witness steady footfall even during the closure period.
“With the gondola reopening, we hope tourist numbers will increase further in the coming days,” he said.
The Chief Minister also praised the rescue teams, volunteers, Army and police personnel involved in evacuating stranded passengers during the May 25 incident and announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for the workers who participated in the rescue operation.
One of the highest cable car systems in the world, the Gulmarg Gondola connects Kongdoori and Apharwat peaks and serves as a key attraction supporting hundreds of livelihoods linked to Kashmir’s tourism economy.
