Tragic Helicopter Crash in Kedarnath: Uttarakhand CM Calls for Enhanced Safety Measures

Uttarakhand CM Responds to Helicopter Tragedy
Dehradun: Following a tragic helicopter crash in the Kedarnath valley that resulted in the loss of seven lives, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami convened a high-level meeting on Sunday.
The meeting included key officials such as Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, Tourism and Civil Aviation Secretary Sachin Kurve, and Disaster Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, along with representatives from the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The helicopter went down near the Kedarnath shrine due to poor visibility conditions early on Sunday morning.
Among the deceased were five pilgrims, the pilot, and a staff member from the Badrinath-Kedarnath temple committee.
In response to the incident, Chief Minister Dhami has mandated stringent regulations for helicopter operations throughout the state.
He emphasized the need for a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that includes mandatory checks on the helicopter's technical condition and weather assessments prior to flights.
The Chief Secretary has been tasked with forming a committee of technical experts to develop this SOP, ensuring that all safety and technical aspects of helicopter operations are thoroughly reviewed.
This committee will work to guarantee that helicopter services are conducted safely, transparently, and in accordance with established standards, as stated in an official announcement.
Additionally, Dhami has instructed a high-level committee, previously established to investigate past helicopter accidents in the state, to conduct a detailed examination of both the recent crash and earlier incidents, providing a comprehensive report.
This committee will delve into the causes of each accident, identify responsible parties or organizations, and recommend appropriate punitive measures.
The Chief Minister highlighted the critical role of helicopter services in the state for pilgrimage, disaster response, and emergency situations, asserting that safety must be the utmost priority.