Srinagar, May 31: Gulmarg Gondola services are expected to resume for tourists on Tuesday following an expert trial run scheduled on Monday after days of suspension caused by a technical snag and maintenance work.
The reopening is being closely watched by the tourism sector as the temporary shutdown of one of Kashmir’s major tourist attractions had disrupted travel plans and resulted in financial losses following cancellation of rides and suspension of services.
Sources said experts will conduct a test trial of the Gondola system on Monday to assess operational safety and technical performance before allowing public services to resume from Tuesday.
The Gondola had remained closed for tourists till June 1 following a technical malfunction that led authorities to suspend operations and undertake maintenance work.
During the closure period, all tickets for visit dates between May 25 and June 1 were ordered to be refunded in full.
Sources told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that despite restoration efforts and preparations for reopening, the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation has yet to determine responsibility for the incident that led to the suspension of services.
The closure is understood to have caused substantial financial losses to the corporation and affected tourism-linked activity in Gulmarg during the peak visitor season.
The Corporation has maintained that safety remains the primary consideration and that services will resume only after technical experts clear the system for public operation. [KNT]
