Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government is set to introduce a new safety framework for bungee jumping within the next month following recent incidents that raised concerns over adventure sports safety in the state. The new regulations aim to tighten operational standards and improve tourist safety at popular adventure destinations such as Rishikesh, Tapovan, and Devprayag.
Tourism Secretary Dheeraj Garbyal said the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) has prepared a fresh set of guidelines after consulting stakeholders and adventure sports experts from India and abroad. The rules are intended to bring the sector under stricter legal and safety regulations.
The move comes after two major incidents. In November 2025, a 24-year-old tourist from Gurugram was seriously injured at an adventure park in Shivpuri after a bungee cord snapped during a jump, raising questions over equipment quality and maintenance. More recently, on June 15, a tourist complained of severe abdominal pain and breathing difficulty shortly after completing a bungee jump and died while being taken to hospital. As no post-mortem examination was conducted, the exact cause of death could not be confirmed. Medical experts have noted that the extreme physical stress and adrenaline surge during bungee jumping can, in rare cases, affect the heart or internal organs.
The proposed regulations place strong emphasis on participants’ health. Under the new rules, people suffering from high blood pressure or heart disease will be advised not to participate in bungee jumping. In a significant change, visitors aged above 50 will be required to produce a valid medical fitness certificate before they are allowed to jump.
The draft guidelines also make it mandatory for operators to use internationally certified natural rubber bungee cords, replace them after the prescribed usage period, provide double harness protection covering both the legs and the body, and complete a triple safety inspection by at least two to three trained professionals before every jump.
The government believes the new regulations will strengthen safety standards, improve accountability among operators, and enhance Uttarakhand’s reputation as a safe destination for adventure tourism.
