The Indian Army and local emergency services launched a large-scale rescue operation Monday to evacuate tourists stranded on the Gulmarg Gondola cable-car system [1].
The incident highlights the vulnerability of high-altitude tourism infrastructure and the critical reliance on military coordination for emergency responses in the rugged terrain of Jammu & Kashmir.
A technical fault in the gondola's cable system caused the cabins to stop mid-air [2]. This malfunction left 65 cabins stranded [1]. The failure prompted an immediate mobilization of the 9 Rajputana Rifles of the Indian Army, the Jammu & Kashmir Police, and the State Disaster Response Force [1].
Rescue teams worked alongside the Fire and Emergency Services and local civil administration to reach those trapped [1]. Initial reports indicated that 80 tourists were evacuated [1]. However, other accounts suggest a larger scale of distress, with more than 300 people trapped in the cabins [3].
Efforts to clear the cabins required specialized training and equipment to ensure the safety of passengers suspended at significant heights [2]. The operation continued as teams worked to secure all individuals and transport them to safety.
While the exact number of stranded passengers varies across reports, sources range from nearly 300 [2] to more than 300 people [3]. The coordination between the military and civilian agencies was essential to manage the evacuation of the 65 stranded cabins [1].
“65 gondola cabins stranded mid-air”
This incident underscores the operational risks associated with cable-car tourism in extreme environments. The reliance on the Indian Army for civilian rescue operations reflects the unique security and logistical landscape of Jammu & Kashmir, where military assets are often the primary responders for large-scale disasters due to their specialized equipment and presence in remote areas.
