SRINAGAR: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has officially constituted a committee to conduct a comprehensive enquiry into the technical malfunction of the Gulmarg Gandola that occurred on May 25, 2026.
According to Government Order No. 1065-JK(GAD) of 2026, dated June 10, 2026, the committee is tasked with investigating the circumstances that led to the incident.
The committee is chaired by Mahmood Ahmad Shah (JKAS), Managing Director of KPDCL, and includes members Vikas Gupta (JKAS), Director Tourism, Jammu; Tariq Hussain (JKAS), Chief Executive Officer of the Gulmarg Development Authority; Javeed Ahmad Tantray, I/c Superintending Engineer, Mechanical and Hospital Circle Kashmir; and Mohammad Ismail Chechi, Executive Engineer, Mechanical and Hospital Division, Baramulla.
The committee’s extensive mandate includes establishing the complete sequence of events leading to the malfunction, examining all relevant records, reports, and operational details, and conducting a detailed technical investigation into the nature, cause, and extent of the failure. This technical review covers mechanical, electrical, electronic, braking, communication, control, and safety systems.
Furthermore, the committee will examine operational logs, fault indications, alarms, and maintenance records to assess whether standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety protocols were being followed.
The enquiry will also investigate whether any operational lapses, negligence, communication gaps, or administrative shortcomings contributed to the incident. The committee is required to assess compliance with statutory provisions, technical standards, and manufacturer guidelines, while evaluating the effectiveness of emergency response and evacuation measures.
Additionally, the committee is authorized to identify responsibility for any acts of omission or commission by individuals, agencies, or contractors and must recommend immediate corrective and long-term preventive measures. To support its findings, the committee may inspect the site, interact with stakeholders, and seek expert opinion.
The final report, including all findings and recommendations, must be submitted to the Tourism Department within 10 days of the issuance of the order.
