Cable car crash raises safety concerns

Kuldeep Chauhan

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Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 23

The cable car crash from the underconstruction Jakhoo-Shimla ropeway today raised serious safety issues of the passengers in the underconstruction project in Shimla and six proposed ropeways in Kullu-Manali, Naina Devi, Dharamsala and Una.

The ropeways technology has changed since the Timber Trail mishap in 1992 that killed one tourist. But the HP Aerial Ropeway Act, 1968, remains outdated as it has yet to make the modern sensor-based communication technology, which sends signals to the base station in case of malfunctioning cables or trams, mandatory to ensure the safety of ropeways, cautioned ropeway experts.

The safety of passengers is understandable as the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation is undertaking six ropeways projects - the ISBT-Jodha Niwas, Dharamsala-McLeodganj, Palchan-Rohtang, Naina Devi-Anandpur Sahib, Neogal-Palampur, Chamunda-Adi Himani - which are in different stages of development.

The safety concerns of passengers in 2.6 km ISBT-Jodha Niwas ropeway project, assigned to Usha Braco Limited (UBL), is serious as the ropeway will carry about 1,000 commuters in one hour and the company has targeted about 15 lakh passengers a year.

“We will ensure that Usha Braco and Jagsons aerial ropeways install the latest technology and follow all safety norms while operating the ropeways”, said Sanjay Chauhan, Mayor, Shimla.

Though the SMC will get Rs 10.62 crore per annum from Usha Braco, the Shimla-Jakhoo ropeways will give nothing to the corporation as per agreement signed by the government, said Chauhan. “The ropeways must insert international safety standards in the Act so that the operators do not get the free run”, he said.

Talking about the safety standards, ropeways inspectors reveal that the sensors along a ropeway communicate with base station computer. One type of sensor detects and signals lack of cable alignments, they added.

Commissioner, tourism, Mohan Chauhan said the department promoted ropeways that had safety and maintenance manuals. The inspections are regular and operators have to report each snag to the monitoring wing of the PWD, he added.