A woman died, and six others were injured when the ropeway trolley cable snapped at Khallari Mata Temple in Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh, during Navratri darshan.
Ayushi Satkar (28) from Raipur was killed instantly when the trolley plunged 200-300 feet carrying seven devotees from 1,100-feet hilltop shrine. Her husband, Rishabh Dhavre (29), and relatives are among the injured now hospitalized in Raipur.
The accident occurred on Sunday morning as families offered prayers at a popular Devi temple accessible by ropeway or 900 steps. The second trolley with 10 passengers safely returned after a jolt.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief, announcing a thorough investigation. Authorities ensure proper treatment for the injured while examining the cause of cable failure.
Similar accidents have been reported at Chhattisgarh hill shrines, highlighting safety gaps during the festival rush. Devotees climbing the steps remain unaffected by the ropeway failures.
Khallari Mata Temple tragedy underscores urgent ropeway safety needs where innocent Hindu pilgrims lost their lives seeking Devi’s blessings during the sacred Navratri, exposing pilgrimage infrastructure vulnerabilities.
