Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah formally flagged off the resumption of the prestigious Gulmarg Gondola services after a month-long suspension, bringing much-needed relief to tourists, local stakeholders, and the tourism industry associated with Kashmir’s premier tourist destination.
The reopening ceremony was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Gulmarg Farooq Ahmad Shah, Managing Director Gulmarg Gondola Project Syed Qamar Sajad, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Syed Fakhar Din Hamid, Senior Superintendent of Police Baramulla, Gurinder Pal Singh, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Gulmarg Mir Jaliel Ahmad and other senior civil and police officials.
The Gulmarg Gondola services had remained suspended since May 25, 2026, following a technical fault in the first phase of the cable car system amid adverse weather conditions and heavy rainfall. The suspension had impacted tourist activities in Gulmarg and caused inconvenience to visitors and tourism-related businesses.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed satisfaction over the restoration of services and appreciated the efforts of the technical teams, engineers, and administration in ensuring that all safety standards were met before reopening the facility. He emphasized that the Gulmarg Gondola is one of Jammu and Kashmir’s most important tourism assets and continues to attract visitors from across India and around the world.
Soon after the formal inauguration, hundreds of tourists began availing the cable car service, marking a significant boost for tourism activities in the famous ski resort. Visitors welcomed the reopening, stating that the Gondola ride remains one of the most sought-after experiences in Kashmir.
The suspension followed an incident on May 25 when more than 300 tourists were stranded in 65 gondola cabins after a technical snag developed during inclement weather conditions. A massive rescue operation was immediately launched involving the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Jammu and Kashmir Police, local administration, and stakeholders. All stranded tourists were evacuated safely after several hours without any injuries or casualties.
Officials said that before the restoration of services, comprehensive technical inspections, mandatory safety audits, maintenance work, and multiple trial runs were successfully conducted. Experts thoroughly examined the entire system to ensure safe and smooth operations for visitors.
The Gulmarg Gondola, recognized among the highest cable car projects in the world, remains one of Kashmir’s biggest tourist attractions and a vital pillar of the region’s tourism economy. The reopening is expected to significantly enhance tourist footfall during the ongoing summer season and provide a major boost to local businesses, hoteliers, transport operators, guides, and other stakeholders dependent on tourism.
Tourism stakeholders and local residents expressed gratitude to the government and concerned authorities for restoring the services and ensuring the highest safety standards. They hoped that the Gondola would continue to operate smoothly and contribute to strengthening Kashmir’s tourism sector.
The successful resumption of Gondola operations marks a major milestone for the tourism industry and reinforces Gulmarg’s status as one of India’s leading mountain tourism destinations.
