Multi-agency probe into cable car mishap begins

Ambika Sharma

Parwanoo, June 21

A multi-agency probe was initiated today to ascertain whether a human error or a mechanical defect led to a cable car getting stuck midair and 11 tourists stranded for hours at Timber Trail Resorts near Parwanoo.

BP Sharma, Superintending Engineer of the PWD mechanical wing, said, “A detailed inquiry is being conducted to ascertain if a human error or a mechanical fault led to the mishap”. Sharma heads the expert committee that oversees the operations of ropeways in the state.

SOPs being prepared

• SOPs are being prepared for ropeways keeping in view the safety of passengers, says Ajay Sharma, MD, Ropeways and Rapid Transport System Corporation
• The SOPs will be applicable to all five ropeways operational in the state and will also pave the way for their safety audit

He said inspectors regulated ropeway operations and ensured quarterly inspections. “They examine critical components like ropeway, shaft, etc, which can cause accidents. These aspects are further tested in labs accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories to ensure that they adhered to the safety levels.”

Besides examining records pertaining to quarterly and annual maintenance, the officials minutely examined various safety aspects.

The area, where the cable car ascends, has been sealed. The cable car, which was stuck on the ropeway, was also left there.

Sharma added, “It will be inquired whether the lapses, if any, pointed out in the field inspections, were rectified in a timely manner by the resort management.”

The ropeways are also annually examined by a committee headed by the Superintending Engineer, mechanical, of the PWD, who ensures redress of the defects pointed out by the inspector.

As the shaft of the cable car had broken, various causes such as bending fatigue, torsional fatigue and axial fatigue besides mechanical failure, corrosion and overloading could be the probable causes that led to the mishap. Abrasive wear and adhesive wear of metal parts is also an issue that will reveal the actual cause, say technical experts.

The resort management, too, has begun an internal probe. Advocate Nikhil Goyal claimed that timely maintenance of the ropeway was undertaken, as per the protocol of the government. He added that the management was cooperating with the authorities and the ropeway operations stand suspended.

Ashok Verma, Additional SP, Solan, also visited the resort to probe the ‘negligence’ angle in the case.

He said a technical committee had been asked to visit the spot. Besides, the statements of the stranded tourists would also be taken into account.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Zafar Iqbal has also ordered a seven-day magisterial probe to ascertain lapses that led to the incident.