Amid a series of helicopter-related incidents during the Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday issued strict warnings to heli service operators, stating that safety must not be compromised under any circumstances—even during peak pilgrimage demand. He has ordered a full safety audit of all heli services and a review of past accidents to prevent future mishaps.
“There will be no compromise whatsoever on the safety standards of heli services,” CM Dhami asserted during a high-level review meeting held at his official residence. He emphasised the state’s responsibility to ensure the highest level of safety for Char Dham pilgrims and warned all operators to strictly adhere to regulations.
The Chief Minister directed that:
- A comprehensive audit of helicopter services be conducted immediately
- Past mishaps be thoroughly reviewed and analysed
- Regular helicopter fitness checks be made mandatory
- Strict engine safety norms be enforced, particularly for high-altitude routes
- Clear and efficient Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) be implemented for ticket bookings and operations
The meeting was attended by heli-service operators, officials from the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCAADA), the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
CM Dhami also announced that UCAADA will develop a 10-year action plan for heli services in the state. The plan will aim to balance the growing demand for air travel to remote religious sites with robust safety mechanisms suited to Uttarakhand’s challenging Himalayan terrain.
