Concerns Rise Over Helicopter Crashes on Uttarakhand's Char Dham Yatra Route
Increasing Helicopter Mishaps Raise Alarm
Dehradun, June 15: The frequency of helicopter crashes and emergency landings along the Char Dham Yatra route in Uttarakhand has become a significant concern for both devotees and local authorities.
The most recent incident took place on Sunday morning when a helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd, which was returning from Kedarnath to Guptkashi, crashed in a wooded area near Gaurikund. Tragically, all seven individuals on board, including a toddler, lost their lives. This incident marks the fifth helicopter accident on the Char Dham pilgrimage route this year.
In response to the crash, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held an emergency meeting, instructing senior officials to develop a stringent Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for helicopter operations within the state.
The SOP will emphasize the necessity for comprehensive technical inspections of all helicopters prior to their deployment.
The Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand has been assigned the task of assembling a committee of technical experts to draft the SOP after thoroughly reviewing the existing safety and operational protocols.
An official statement indicated that the committee's goal is to ensure that helicopter operations on pilgrimage routes are entirely safe, transparent, and adhere to established aviation standards.
Helicopter services along the Char Dham route have been suspended for two days while a safety audit is conducted. Chief Minister Dhami stated, “Operations will only resume once we can guarantee complete safety for all passengers. The well-being of the yatris is non-negotiable.”
He also directed the committee to conduct a detailed investigation into the recent crash and previous incidents, providing a comprehensive report.
The series of accidents has sparked significant criticism from opposition parties and civil society organizations. Suryakant Dhasmana, the state Congress vice-president, described the situation as “deeply troubling.”
“This marks the fifth helicopter accident on the Char Dham Yatra route in under six weeks since the pilgrimage commenced. It indicates a lack of control by the government over private aviation companies in the area. There is no established SOP, and in the rush for profit, safety is being compromised. There isn’t even a limit on the number of flights per day,” Dhasmana stated.
Social activist Anoop Nautiyal shared similar concerns, noting, “Just four days ago, the government announced new regulations to restrict helicopters to 3–4 passengers per trip instead of 5–6. Yet, here we are again—seven lives lost.”
“If the government does not plan to reform the system, why make hollow promises? Will anyone be held accountable? Will there be any disciplinary actions? Or will we continue to witness one crash after another?” Nautiyal questioned.