Gulmarg Gondola Breakdown: Army Leads Massive Tourist Rescue

A sudden technical glitch in the iconic Gulmarg Gondola service left hundreds of tourists stranded high above the scenic valleys of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday evening. The cable car system between the base station and Kongdoori Phase-1 stopped working, trapping passengers in freezing winds and thick clouds. Responding to an urgent request from local authorities, the Indian Army launched a large-scale rescue mission. Using specialized all-terrain vehicles and trained personnel, soldiers navigated steep slopes and poor weather to reach the affected cars. By late evening, 148 tourists had been successfully evacuated—76 from 14 cars on one side and 72 from 12 cars on the other. The joint operation also involved the State Disaster Response Force and Gulmarg ATV Association, which provided additional support vehicles. Technical experts are currently investigating the fault while rescue teams remain on standby to assist any remaining individuals and restore services.