Baramulla, Sep 16: The high-level committee constituted to investigate the technical malfunction of the Gulmarg Gondola, which left more than 300 tourists stranded in cabins in May, has sought additional time to submit its final report, officials said.
An interim report has already been submitted, but the committee’s final findings remain awaited more than three months after the Jammu and Kashmir Government ordered the inquiry.
“An interim report has already been submitted. We have sought more time for submitting the final report and it will be submitted within the stipulated time,” an official said.
The government had constituted the five-member committee through Government Order No. 1065-JK(GAD) of 2026, issued on June 10, directing it to submit its report to the Tourism Department within 10 days.
The committee is headed by Managing Director of Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited Mahmood Ahmad Shah. Its other members are Director Tourism Jammu Vikas Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of Gulmarg Development Authority Tariq Hussain, Superintending Engineer Javeed Ahmad Tantray and Executive Engineer Mohammad Ismail Chechi.
The inquiry was ordered following the May 25 malfunction of the cable-car system, which resulted in more than 300 tourists being stranded in Gondola cabins and triggered a major rescue operation involving security and disaster-response personnel.
The committee was tasked with examining the technical failure and assessing the Gondola’s mechanical, electrical, electronic, braking, communication and safety systems.
It was also directed to examine maintenance records, operational logs and inspection procedures and determine whether any negligence or administrative lapses contributed to the incident.
With the original 10-day deadline having elapsed, the final report is yet to be submitted. The panel has now sought additional time to complete the inquiry.
The Gulmarg Gondola resumed operations after remaining suspended for nearly a month following the incident.
The cable-car service is currently closed for its scheduled annual maintenance from September 14 to 17.
