Rajgir/Patna: Around 15 to 20 pilgrims travelling on the Rajgir ropeway in Bihar were stranded mid-air after a technical fault disrupted operations during adverse weather on Wednesday. All passengers were later rescued safely following an emergency operation by the ropeway management.
The incident occurred during the holy month of Sawan, when many devotees visiting Baba Baidyanath Dham were also travelling to Rajgir.
Pilgrims Left Hanging Mid-Air
According to officials, the ropeway came to a sudden halt after bad weather affected the system, leaving several trolleys suspended above the ground.
Rajiv Kumar, one of the stranded pilgrims, said panic spread briefly after the ropeway stopped midway.
“The trolleys remained suspended for some time. The humid weather and limited ventilation inside the cabins made passengers increasingly anxious,” he said.
Family members and other visitors gathered below the ropeway as rescue efforts got underway.
Rescue Team Evacuates All Passengers Safely
After receiving information about the disruption, the ropeway management suspended operations and launched a rescue mission.
Trained personnel reached each trolley and evacuated passengers in accordance with established safety procedures.
After several hours of coordinated efforts, all stranded pilgrims were brought down safely, with no injuries reported.
Weather Triggered Technical Fault, Says Manager
Deepak Kumar, the Ropeway Manager, said adverse weather and lightning had caused the temporary technical disruption.
“Adverse weather and lightning caused a technical disruption in the ropeway’s operation. Passenger safety was our priority, so services were immediately halted and a rescue operation was launched,” he said.
He added that the ropeway resumed operations only after engineers completed a comprehensive inspection and confirmed that all safety parameters had been met.
Regular Maintenance And Rescue Drills
The manager said the Rajgir ropeway undergoes routine maintenance for five to seven days every month, during which technical inspections and repairs are carried out.
He also noted that the ropeway management conducts periodic mock rescue exercises with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to prepare staff for emergency situations.
According to Kumar, the regular maintenance programme and rescue drills enabled personnel to respond quickly and evacuate passengers safely during Tuesday’s incident.
He said the ropeway management would continue to follow established safety protocols whenever operations are affected by adverse weather or technical issues, adding that passenger safety would remain the highest priority.
