Gujarat: Six killed after cargo ropeway crashes near Pavagadh Shaktipeeth
Six people were killed in the mishap, which occurred when construction material was being taken to the hill where the Kalika Mata Temple is located.
Two lift operators were among six people killed after a ropeway carrying construction material atop a hill came down crashing in Gujarat's Pavagadh on Saturday. Four people have also been injured in the mishap, as per preliminary information.
Construction had been going on at the site for a temple atop the hill in Pavagadh, the place of the popular Kalikamata Temple Shaktipeeth. Panchamahal DSP Harsh Dudhaat said six people died after a trolley carrying construction material for the ropeway broke down.
The injured have been shifted to a hospital for medical treatment while the bodies of deceased have been sent for post mortem. Police and emergency personnel are stationed at the site to clear the debris.
What Gujarat government said
Gujarat minister Rushikesh Patel said there were two ropeways in Pavagadh. One of them was meant for transporting goods, had its cable snapped, causing the crash. The cable trolley fell and six labourers aboard were killed.
"Bodies have been recovered. A committee has now been formed by the Collector to prepare a preliminary report. The committee includes an electrical engineer and officials from other departments. The report will be submitted to the state government once it is prepared. And further steps will be decided by the state government," he said.
Pavagadh Shaktipeeth
The Pavagadh Kali Temple, also known as the Kalika Mata Temple, is a sacred Shakti Peeth situated on the summit of Pavagadh hill in Gujarat’s Panchmahal district. Dedicated to Goddess Kali, it holds immense spiritual significance as the site where the right toes of Goddess Sati are believed to have fallen. The temple’s inner sanctum houses the distinctive 10th-11th century mukhwato, or painted head of the goddess, along with other notable features such as ancient fortifications and rest houses. Pilgrims generally reach the shrine by taking a ropeway ride followed by a short climb, making it a prominent pilgrimage centre visited by thousands of devotees every year.