Cable cars are a viable alternative to improve citizens' accessibility in areas with limited public transport due to challenging topography. In Nepal, such systems have been introduced in various parts of the country, making commuting easier and bringing positive changes to people's lives. Currently, there are half a dozen cable car operators in service, including Manakamana Cable Car, Chandragiri Cable Car, Kalinchowk Cable Car, Annapurna Cable Car, Maula Kali Cable Car, and Lumbini Cable Car. Several more are in the development stage. While this is a positive development, one critical aspect needs urgent attention: the safety of cable car passengers. On Wednesday, around 50 passengers were stuck in the gondolas of Chandragiri Cable Car in Kathmandu for more than one and half hours due to a power outage. Although they safely returned to the base after the power supply resumed, the lack of a prompt rescue mechanism raises serious safety concerns.
This is reportedly the second time in the past five months that the cable car company faced similar technical problems. However, the company has not taken adequate measures to ensure passenger safety. It has had to rely on the Armed Police Force (APF) personnel for such situations. When passengers faced the same problem on February 27, the APF had to rescue passengers from two gondolas after they were stuck for an hour. On July 6, 2022, a similar issue occurred when passengers, including former chairman of the National Assembly Ganesh Prasad Timalsina, were stuck for 25 minutes. Similar issues have been reported in other cable car services as well. This recurring problem calls for urgent measures to ensure the safety of cable car passengers. It is alarming that a company transporting hundreds of passengers daily does not have well-trained rescue personnel to prevent prolonged stranding due to technical glitches.
Although the number of cable car services in the country is increasing steadily, there is still no clarity on which government body is responsible for granting licenses and regulating them. This recklessness is unacceptable. We strongly believe that there is an urgent need to establish an independent government regulatory body dedicated to overseeing cable car safety. This body should conduct regular safety audits, identify potential issues, and ensure compliance with safety standards. It is crucial to ensure that cable cars and their supporting structures meet or exceed safety standards and can withstand environmental conditions such as wind, snow, and seismic activity. Extra safety systems such as backup power supplies, secondary cables, and emergency braking mechanisms should also be incorporated. Regular inspections of all components, including cables, pulleys, towers, and cabins, are essential to identify and address wear and tear. As a newspaper, we believe that the establishment of an independent government regulatory body is imperative to ensure the safety of cable car passengers. Such a body, equipped with expertise and trained personnel, can not only provide necessary oversight but also enforce stringent safety measures. These measures will ultimately safeguard the lives of those who rely on cable cars for their commute.