The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday constituted a high-level committee to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the technical malfunction of the Gulmarg Gondola on May 25 that left more than 300 tourists stranded mid-air and triggered a massive rescue operation.
The government accorded the sanction to the constitution of a five-member committee to investigate the circumstances leading to the malfunction of the cable car system.
The committee, will be headed by Mahmood Ahmad Shah, Managing Director of KPDCL, and comprises Vikas Gupta, Director Tourism Jammu, Tariq Hussain, Chief Executive Officer 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 panel has been tasked with establishing the complete sequence of events leading to the malfunction, including the circumstances preceding, during and after the incident. It will examine all relevant records, reports, communications and operational details to arrive at a clear understanding of what led to the breakdown.
The committee has also been directed to conduct a detailed technical examination of the malfunction, including scrutiny of the mechanical, electrical, electronic, braking, communication, control and safety systems associated with the operation of the cable car.
As part of its inquiry, the panel will review operational logs, fault indications, alarm systems, inspection reports, maintenance records and other technical documents related to the incident. It has also been asked to assess whether standard operating procedures, maintenance schedules and safety protocols were being followed at the time of the malfunction.
The terms of reference require the committee to investigate whether any operational lapse, negligence, procedural deficiency, communication gap, supervisory failure, human error or administrative shortcoming contributed directly or indirectly to the incident.
The inquiry will further assess compliance with statutory provisions, technical standards, safety regulations, manufacturer guidelines and certification requirements governing the operation of the Gondola system.
The committee has also been tasked with evaluating the adequacy of the emergency response mounted during and after the incident, including evacuation procedures, passenger safety protocols, communication systems and coordination among the agencies involved in the rescue effort.
Importantly, the panel has been empowered to identify responsibility, wherever warranted, for any omission, negligence, procedural violation or failure on the part of any individual, agency, contractor or authority associated with the operation, maintenance and supervision of the cable car system.
Besides fixing accountability, the committee will recommend immediate corrective measures for the safe restoration of services and suggest long-term technical, operational, administrative and safety reforms aimed at preventing recurrence of similar incidents.
The panel has also been authorised to inspect the site, examine records, interact with officials, technical personnel, operators and contractors, and seek expert assistance wherever necessary during the course of the inquiry.
The committee has been directed to submit its report, along with findings and recommendations, to the Tourism Department within ten days.
The Gulmarg Gondola, one of the world’s highest cable car systems and a major tourist attraction in Kashmir, has remained closed since the May 25 incident. The Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation recently announced that the facility will remain shut for tourists until further notice as maintenance works and safety assessments continue.
