The cable car service at Patriata has been temporarily suspended for around one and a half months following safety recommendations made by Austrian experts.According to officials, the decision was taken by the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) with the primary objective of ensuring the safety of tourists visiting the popular hill resort near Murree.According to the TDCP Director General for the northern region, the suspension was necessary to replace the iron rope of the cable car system.

He said the system underwent inspection by foreign experts, who recommended a complete replacement of the cable infrastructure as a precautionary measure.He added that the chairlift service in Patriata remains operational and continues to serve tourists visiting the area. Officials said that following the expert assessment, the tourism department has placed an order for a new cable rope from abroad.The replacement is expected to take between one month to one and a half months due to import and installation requirements.

The Director General emphasised that passenger safety remains the top priority, and the cable car service will resume once the upgrade work is completed.He also said that several new tourism projects are being introduced in the region, including a safari train at Kashmir Point, modern electric carts for visitors, a glass walkway bridge, two new chairlifts, a paragliding club, and a state-of-the-art tourist resort aimed at improving tourism infrastructure in Murree and surrounding areas.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)