Six Dead In Trolley Accident At Pavagadh Ropeway Construction Site In Gujarat
New Delhi: At least six people lost their lives and four others sustained injuries after a ropeway trolley, used for transporting construction materials for the ongoing renovation at the revered Pavagadh temple, snapped mid-air and crashed on Saturday, officials reported.
The trolley, which was carrying building materials and kitchen supplies for the temple’s Annakshetra (community kitchen), plunged down the hillside after the supporting cable broke, according to officials.
Panchmahal Deputy Superintendent of Police, Dr Haresh Dudhat, confirmed the fatalities and stated that the bodies had been moved to Halol Referral Hospital.
Soon after the incident, senior officials, including the District Collector, local MLAs, and senior police personnel, arrived at the site. Police and fire brigade teams undertook rescue and relief operations, cordoning off the area to prevent further mishaps.
The tragic accident occurred at the Shaktipeeth on Pavagadh hill, a major pilgrimage site currently undergoing extensive renovation. The hill, which stands around 800 meters high, typically attracts thousands of devotees who ascend nearly 2,000 steps or use the cable car service to reach the summit.
Officials clarified that the public ropeway service had already been suspended earlier in the day due to adverse weather conditions. The incident involved a separate goods trolley used exclusively for transporting materials, not passengers.
An inquiry has been initiated to determine whether any safety lapses in the ropeway’s construction and operation contributed to the incident.
Government spokesperson Rushikesh Patel explained, “There were two ropeways, one for carrying goods and the other for passengers. The wire of the ropeway carrying goods has been snapped.”
Gandhinagar, Gujarat: On the Pavagadh goods ropeway accident, Minister Rushikesh Patel says, “According to the reports I have received, there were two ropeways to go up Pavagadh — one for goods and materials, and another for passengers visiting the temple. The goods ropeway car… pic.twitter.com/ZqrcO5R5w5
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He added that the Collector has constituted a committee to investigate the accident. “We will wait for the primary report on the basis of which the government will decide the next step of the action,” Patel said.
(With Inputs from IANS)
