Udaipur zip-line rescue: 2 tourists saved mid-air at Dudh Talai
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Two tourists were left dangling approximately 70 feet above the ground on a zip-line in Udaipur's Dudh Talai area on Thursday evening, 18 June, after strong winds abruptly halted their ride over Lake Pichola. A rapid response by the on-site rescue team brought both tourists to safety in under two-and-a-half minutes, narrowly averting what could have been a serious accident.
How the Incident Unfolded
Four friends from Gujarat — Sunil, Alpesh, Rithvik, and Sumit — had travelled to Udaipur for a vacation and chose to experience the zip-line at Dudh Talai, a popular adventure attraction that runs between Deendayal Park and Manikyalal Verma Park. The zip-line stretches approximately 630 metres and under normal conditions delivers riders to the endpoint in roughly 45 seconds.
The group was dispatched in pairs. The second pair had nearly completed the ride and was only about 20 metres from the destination when weather conditions suddenly deteriorated. A surge of strong winds drained their momentum, leaving them suspended mid-cable with traffic moving on the road directly below.
The Rescue Operation
The moment the stranded tourists called for help, the rescue team stationed at the site mobilised immediately. Equipped with safety gear, team members reached the two tourists and escorted them back to the starting point. The entire operation was completed in approximately two-and-a-half minutes, according to officials.
A video of the rescue circulated widely on social media and drew significant public attention to the incident.
What the Operator Said
Zip-line operator Sharad Agarwal attributed the incident to a sudden change in weather and unexpected strong winds. He said a trained rescue team is permanently stationed at the site and is drilled regularly through mock exercises to ensure readiness for emergencies. According to Agarwal, all riders are equipped with helmets, safety harnesses, and other protective gear before boarding the ride.
Background and Safety Implications
The Dudh Talai zip-line was launched in October 2025 and has since become one of Udaipur's sought-after adventure tourism experiences. The incident has renewed focus on safety protocols at adventure tourism sites across Rajasthan, where the sector has grown rapidly in recent years. Notably, this is the kind of episode that regulators and tourism bodies often cite when reviewing mandatory safety standards for aerial adventure activities.
With adventure tourism expanding across India's heritage cities, Thursday's near-miss is a reminder that robust emergency infrastructure — not just equipment — determines outcomes when conditions turn.