In a recent incident in the Battagram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), authorities successfully rescued eight individuals, including schoolchildren, from a stranded cable car that broke mid-air in Allai Tehsil. This incident has sparked a debate on the safety and effectiveness of these locally-made cable cars, known as ‘Gardi’ in the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region.
Traditionally, locals in mountainous areas like Battagram have used chairlifts to cross rivers and reduce travel distances between valleys. These chairlifts are a crucial lifeline for students and residents who would otherwise have to endure a treacherous journey involving steep mountainsides and river crossings. In order to address this issue, local engineers often install cable cars to make the journey safer and more convenient.
However, these locally-made cable cars are constructed using discarded materials like the tops of pick-up trucks and Suzuki vehicles. The cabins are then attached to cables, sometimes made from scrap iron, and secured with ropes. This construction approach is often unauthorized due to the lack of available options and cost considerations. In contrast, modern cable chairlifts managed by operators provide a safer and more reliable mode of transportation.
While these makeshift cable cars have reduced travel time across the valley from hours to just 10 minutes, concerns about their safety remain. A tragic incident in 2017 in Murree, where 11 travelers lost their lives in a cable car accident, serves as a reminder of the risks involved.
Balancing the need for accessibility with safety concerns is a crucial dilemma faced by local communities and authorities. While these cable cars offer a lifeline for students and residents, there is a pressing need to ensure that they meet safety standards and regulations. Authorities must work towards finding a sustainable solution that addresses the transportation needs of these mountainous regions without compromising on safety.
In conclusion, the cable car dilemma in Pakistan highlights the challenges faced by communities in remote mountainous areas. It is essential to strike a balance between accessibility and safety to provide a secure mode of transportation for residents and students. By implementing appropriate safety measures and regulations, cable cars can continue to serve as valuable assets for these communities, ensuring a safer and more convenient journey across the valleys.