Kedarnath Tragedy: CM Suspends Heli Services, Orders Probe Into Repeated Crashes

A helicopter crash near the Kedarnath shrine early Sunday morning claimed the lives of all seven people on board, including six pilgrims and the pilot. The aircraft, operated by Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd, took off from Kedarnath around 5:30 am en route to Guptkashi but crashed shortly after takeoff.

The crash occurred over the forests of Gaurikund, reportedly due to poor visibility caused by adverse weather conditions, according to Rudraprayag District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar. The helicopter caught fire after crashing between Gaurikund and Trijuginarayan in the Kedarghati region, as reported by PTI sources.

Char Dham Helicopter Services Suspended

In the aftermath of the tragedy, all helicopter services in the Char Dham region have been suspended until further notice. The ban, imposed by the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) in coordination with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), comes amid rising concerns over the safety of helicopter operations on the Char Dham Yatra route.

The temporary suspension will remain in place while a detailed review of existing safety measures is undertaken.

CM Dhami Orders Stricter Safety Protocols

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed the immediate formation of strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for heli services across the state. The SOP will make it mandatory to thoroughly check the technical condition of helicopters and assess weather conditions before any flight.

The CM has instructed the Chief Secretary to form a committee comprising technical experts. This committee will carry out a comprehensive review of all safety and technical aspects related to heli operations and draft new SOPs to ensure that operations are conducted with the highest levels of safety and transparency.

Investigation Committee to Probe Heli Accidents

In addition, the Chief Minister has ordered the high-level committee already constituted to investigate past helicopter accidents in the state to include this latest incident in its probe. The committee will thoroughly examine the causes behind each helicopter accident, including the most recent one near Kedarnath. The panel is expected to identify any individuals or organizations at fault and recommend strict actions against those responsible.

CM Dhami emphasized the crucial role heli services play in the state - from facilitating pilgrimages to disaster relief and emergency services - and stressed that passenger safety must always remain the highest priority.

Previous Heli Incidents Raise Alarm

This crash follows a series of recent helicopter-related incidents in Uttarakhand. On May 8, a helicopter heading to Gangotri Dham crashed in Uttarkashi, killing six people. On June 7, another helicopter en route to Kedarnath was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff due to a technical fault. While the pilot was injured in that incident, all five devotees on board were rescued safely.

These recurring accidents have heightened concerns about the safety and oversight of helicopter operations in the high-altitude pilgrimage zones of Uttarakhand.