Chardham Yatra Helicopter Services Suspended for 2 Days After Crash

Uttarakhand (The Uttam Hindu) : In the wake of a tragic helicopter crash near Guptkashi on Sunday morning that claimed the lives of seven people, including the pilot, the Uttarakhand government has suspended helicopter services on the Chardham Yatra route for two days as a precautionary measure.

The chopper, operated by Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd, was returning from Kedarnath when it went down, marking the fifth helicopter-related incident since the annual pilgrimage began on April 30. This recurring pattern of accidents has raised serious safety concerns regarding heli services in the upper Himalayan region.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami convened an emergency meeting with top officials, including Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, Tourism and Civil Aviation Secretary Sachin Kurve, Disaster Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, as well as representatives from UCADA (Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority) and the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), to review the situation.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Dhami said heli services would remain suspended on Sunday and Monday due to adverse weather conditions, emphasizing that passenger safety is the state government’s foremost priority. "Given the current weather and recent events, we have decided to pause all helicopter operations temporarily. Safety cannot be compromised," he stated.

He further directed officials to develop a strict Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for helicopter operations in the state and called for the establishment of a centralized control and command center to monitor flights. The Chief Minister also ordered strict compliance with DGCA regulations and insisted that only experienced pilots be deployed for flights in the high-altitude Himalayan terrain.

“The safety protocols must be followed without exception. We must ensure that only seasoned pilots are operating in the upper Himalayas,” Dhami emphasized, hinting at potential action against any lapses that may have contributed to the recent crash.

As the Chardham Yatra—covering Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri—continues to draw thousands of devotees each year, the alarming frequency of helicopter accidents on the route has become a major concern for authorities and pilgrims alike. The government has urged aviation companies and regulatory bodies to thoroughly assess the situation before resuming services.