From correspondents in Jammu and Kashmir, India, 03:30 PM IST

The world's highest cable car, in Kashmir's Gulmarg hill resort, has been closed indefinitely following damage due to lightning that struck the ropeway earlier this week, officials said Thursday.

'Due to heavy lightning Monday evening, damages have occurred to the electronic and electrical control system of the cable car,' a statement issued by the project management said here. 'The cable car shall remain closed till further notice.'

A major tourist attraction in the mountainous resort of the Kashmir valley, the Gondola cable car offers tourists a fun filled ride through the breathtaking pine clad slopes from Gulmarg to Mt. Apharwat.

Built by a French company in 1998, the ropeway is 4,390 metres high. The mind-numbing vertical rise that ascends to the Apharwat Peak was completed in 2005.

Gulmarg, 52 km from here, is also a favourite destination for winter sports in India.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)