Day after ropeway passengers were stranded mid-air for over 40 mins, police seek records from maintenance firm

The Pavagadh police station, on Saturday, sought records of maintenance and safety in writing from Usha Breco Limited, the company managing the Udan Khatola.

Panchmahal SP Himanshu Solanki said, “The ropeway service is functional now… It has been reported that a sensor in the fifth pillar developed a snag. It was repaired and the stranded passengers were brought down… Since it is a matter of public safety, the district police proactively keeps checking maintenance records and we know that there is no anomaly. Still, we have sought the records, in writing. This is to formally take note of the incident.”

Friday’s incident had occurred shortly before the 8 pm closing time of the ropeway service when the cabins carrying passengers were left stranded at an altitude of 763 m. While Usha Breco undertook immediate repair of the snag, the passengers — six in each of the 10 cabins — remained stranded for over 40 minutes. Once the ropeway was restored, the service resumed at a slow pace, and the passengers were evacuated.

“The company used its own system to make announcements to ensure that passengers do not panic… It has trained staff to execute emergency rescue and conducts frequent mock drills. Once we receive the maintenance reports, we will see if any further action is needed,” Solanki said.

Earlier this month, the ropeway service had been suspended from August 7 to 11 for “maintenance” work.
The scare on Friday prompted several devotees to question how safe the service was.

A pilgrim, who was stranded in a cable car with four children, including a 11-month-old, said: “We are visiting from Madhya Pradesh… the 45 minutes we spent suspended in the air was horrific. The cable cars were not still and children were restless and in panic. We had run put of milk for the 11-month-old…”

“This experience highlighted safety issues facing the service. None of the cable cars has light. We could not even see each other without switching on the cellphone torch. Also, as there is no mobile network connectivity at such a height, there is no way to communicate in case of an emergency… They should at least have a communication system in all cable cars for emergency use,” the pilgrim added.

Another passenger, who arrived after the rope was restored, said, “We witnessed the panic among the operators… The incident raises questions about the technology used in the service. Ropeways now have anti-derailment technology. So, why was the same not deployed here when the temple is located at a such a treacherous height and had already reported casualties?”

Pilgrims visiting the Kalika Mata temple can choose the Udan Khatola from Maachi or climb about 2,000 steps to reach the temple located on the hillock, about 765 m above sea level. Pavagadh ropeway was opened in 1986, constructed and operated by Usha Breco Limited.

On January 19, 2003, seven people, including two women and a five-year-old boy, were killed and 24 others injured when one of the hauling ropes of the cable cars snapped, bringing three carriages crashing down to the ground. Six other cars remaining suspended mid-air for hours.