Uttarakhand Government Resumes Chopper Services Amid Safety Concerns After Series of Crashes on Char Dham Route
DEHRADUN: A series of helicopter accidents within a short span of six weeks has triggered alarm in Uttarakhand, prompting serious concern over the safety of chopper operations associated with the revered Char Dham pilgrimage.
The state has witnessed five chopper-related incidents since early May—two crashes and three emergency landings—resulting in the deaths of 13 people, including pilgrims and crew.
Despite this disturbing trend, the Uttarakhand government announced on Tuesday the resumption of helicopter services on the Char Dham route, which had been suspended following a tragic crash on June 15.
In that incident, a Bell 407 helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd crashed shortly after take-off from Kedarnath, killing all seven people on board.
The chopper was en route to Guptkashi, a journey that typically takes around 10 minutes. The crash occurred near Gaurikund, the base point for the 16-kilometre uphill trek to the Kedarnath temple.
With thousands of devotees flocking annually to the high-altitude shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, the helicopter services have become a vital mode of transport, particularly for elderly pilgrims and those unable to endure the steep mountainous terrain.
However, the recent spate of accidents has sparked widespread fear and hesitation among pilgrims who had previously opted for the convenience and speed of chopper travel.
Sonika, the Chief Executive Officer of the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), stated that flight services were being resumed only after implementing enhanced safety protocols and tighter oversight mechanisms.
“We have made necessary arrangements for closer monitoring of helicopter operations in collaboration with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Meteorological Department, and other relevant agencies,” she said.
“Flights will now only operate under favourable weather conditions, and any violation of safety protocols will lead to strict punitive action against the operators involved.”
The resumed services will now face real-time surveillance, and both UCADA and DGCA officials will work jointly to inspect shuttle operations along the route.
Pilots and aviation companies have also been instructed to adhere to standard operating procedures without deviation, and thorough assessments of aircraft and crew credentials will be carried out regularly.
