Govt orders probe into Gulmarg Gondola malfunction

Five-member panel to examine lapses, safety compliance and emergency response, submit report within ten days

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has constituted a five-member committee to inquire into the technical malfunction of the Gulmarg Gondola that occurred on May 25, directing it to submit its report within 10 days.

According to a government order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), the panel has been tasked with examining the circumstances that led to the malfunction of the cable car system and identifying any lapses, negligence or procedural deficiencies that may have contributed to the incident.

The committee will be headed by Mahmood Ahmad Shah, Managing Director of the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL).

Other members include Director Tourism Jammu Vikas Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of the Gulmarg Development Authority Tariq Hussain, In-charge Superintending Engineer, Mechanical and Hospital Circle Kashmir, Javeed Ahmad Tantray, and Executive Engineer, Mechanical and Hospital Division Baramulla, Mohammad Ismail Chechi.

The panel has been asked to establish the sequence of events leading to the malfunction and examine all relevant records, reports, communications and operational details related to the incident.

It will conduct a detailed technical examination of the cable car system, including its mechanical, electrical, electronic, braking, communication, control and safety systems.

The committee has also been directed to scrutinise operational logs, fault indications, monitoring systems, maintenance records, inspection reports and other technical documentation associated with the operation of the gondola.

As part of its mandate, the panel will review existing standard operating procedures (SOPs), maintenance protocols, inspection mechanisms and safety procedures to determine whether prescribed norms were being followed at the time of the incident.

The order said the committee would examine whether any operational lapse, negligence, procedural deficiency, communication gap, supervisory failure, human error or administrative shortcoming directly or indirectly contributed to the malfunction.

It has further been tasked with assessing compliance with statutory provisions, technical standards, safety regulations, manufacturer guidelines, certification norms and maintenance schedules governing operation of the cable car system.

The inquiry panel will also evaluate the adequacy of emergency response measures undertaken during and after the incident, including communication systems, evacuation procedures, passenger safety protocols and coordination among agencies.

The government has authorised the committee to inspect the site, examine records and documents, interact with officials, technical personnel, operators and contractors, and seek expert assistance wherever necessary.

Besides identifying responsibility, if warranted, the panel will recommend immediate corrective measures and long-term technical, operational and administrative safeguards to prevent recurrence of similar incidents.

The committee has been directed to submit its findings and recommendations to the Tourism Department within 10 days from the date of issuance of the order. (KNS)