Operator seeks pat, not punishment

Chainwala handed over cheques for Rs 30,000 to those who had fractures and Rs 10,000 to those who sustained minor injuries in the accident. The company has also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased.

Earlier, the UBL chief visited the Pavagadh hills for a spot assessment of the situation and held a meeting with senior engineers and other company officials.

Meanwhile, the state government has ordered immediate suspension of Usha Breco-operated two other ropeway services at Ambaji and Saputara in Gujarat. The proposed laying up of a 2.36 km long ropeway at the Girnar hills in Junagadh district by the same company, has also run into rough weather with the Jain Sangh rising in revolt against the proposed project in view of the Pavagadh ropeway tragedy.

The sangh has reportedly threatened to launch an agitationa gainst the Girnar ropeway project, said to be the longest in Asia, unless the project is cancelled by the state government.