Srinagar, Mar 27, KNT: The Travel Agents Society of Kashmir (TASK) has raised serious concerns over the alleged mismanagement at the Gulmarg Gondola, warning of potential risks to tourist safety. The president of TASK, Muhammad Ibrahim Siah, and General Secretary Waseem Gosani have urged authorities to take immediate action to prevent chaos at one of Kashmir’s most popular tourist attractions.
A viral video circulating on social media shows thousands of tourists huddled together in a disorderly manner at the Gulmarg Gondola terminal. The footage has sparked outrage among tourism stakeholders, who argue that the absence of a proper management system could lead to dangerous situations, including stampedes.
“There is absolutely no system in place. There are no proper queues, and tourists are left to fend for themselves while trying to board the gondola. The authorities at Gulmarg seem to be doing nothing to streamline the process,” said TASK President Muhammad Ibrahim Siah.
General Secretary Waseem Gosani echoed similar concerns, emphasizing that such negligence could tarnish the reputation of Kashmir’s tourism sector. “The Gondola ride is a major attraction in Kashmir, and if tourists continue to face such mismanagement, it will impact the overall tourism industry negatively,” he said.
TASK has urged the administration to immediately deploy adequate staff to manage the rush, enforce a proper queuing system, and ensure crowd control measures to prevent any untoward incidents. The tourism fraternity has also appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) and other relevant authorities to take stock of the situation before it escalates into a disaster.
With Gulmarg witnessing a massive influx of tourists, stakeholders stress that immediate action is necessary to ensure smooth operations at the Gondola, safeguarding both the reputation of the destination and the safety of visitors. [KNT]
