Operations of the Dharamshala Skyway ropeway have been stopped temporarily after a massive landslide occurred near pillar number six. SDM Mohit Ratna said the District Magistrate, who also heads the District Disaster Management Authority, ordered the suspension to ensure passenger safety.
"The roads that are completely washed out and totally unsafe have been closed. Like Jogibara Road and Jokhardanda Road. Apart from this, we received a report that there has been massive sliding at pillar number six of the ropeway of our Dharamshala Skyway, and the sliding has happened at a distance of less than ten feet from pillar number six. So keeping this in mind, the District Magistrate, who is also the Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority, has registered an order that the operations of the ropeway have been temporarily suspended," said Ratna.
A technical committee with geological experts from Central University Dharamshala and other departments will now inspect the ropeway. Their report will decide whether the ropeway can resume operations. The committee has been asked to submit its report by August 22 before 11 am.
"At the same time, he has instructed me to set up a technical committee and get an inspection done on this aspect, so that it can be ascertained whether pillar number six and the general ropeway should be continued during the rains or not, or the suspension should be revoked...We have requested them to share their technical expertise with us and this committee will inspect the ropeway in general and pillar number six in specific and will submit its report on 22nd May before 11 am. This will help us determine whether to keep the ropeway operations suspended or to revoke the suspension," added Ratna.
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Heavy rain in the hill state has already triggered landslides and blocked several roads. The Dharamshala Skyway, which runs for 1.8 km and is a popular attraction for tourists, has been shut as a precaution to avoid accidents.
Meanwhile, Himachal’s monsoon death toll since the onset of monsoon this year has gone up to 276. Of these, 143 people died in rain-related incidents like landslides, flash floods, and house collapses, while 133 lost their lives in road accidents, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA).
The rains have also caused large-scale damage in the past 24 hours as 366 roads are blocked, electricity supply is down in 929 areas, and 139 water schemes have been disrupted. National Highway-305 in Kullu and NH-154 in Mandi remain closed due to sinking of road and landslides, while several link roads in Mandi, Kullu, Kangra, Sirmaur, and Chamba are impassable.
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