The Uttarakhand government has announced that helicopter services for the Char Dham Yatra will resume from Tuesday, June 17, 2025, a day after a tragic crash in Kedarnath valley claimed the lives of seven people, including a two-year-old girl and the pilot.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), Sonika, made the announcement late Monday evening, stating that the services would operate only under favourable weather conditions.

The announcement comes in the wake of growing public concern and scrutiny after the Guptkashi-Kedarnath route helicopter crash on June 15. The tragedy has once again thrown the spotlight on the safety of pilgrimage-linked aviation services in the Himalayan region.

Chopper Services Suspended After Fatal Crash

On Sunday morning, a helicopter ferrying pilgrims from Guptkashi to Kedarnath temple crashed shortly after take-off. The incident claimed the lives of:

• The pilot, who had recently become a father of twins,

• A couple from Maharashtra, travelling with their two-year-old daughter,

• An elderly woman from Uttar Pradesh, who was accompanied by her grand-daughter.

The wreckage was located shortly after the crash, and the deaths were confirmed by rescue personnel on the scene. The incident has shaken both pilgrimage administrators and families of the victims, many of whom were visiting the revered temple town for the first time.

Following the crash, all helicopter operations were immediately suspended to allow for investigations and safety audits.

DGCA Steps In to Monitor Services

In the wake of the tragedy, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken special cognisance of the issue. According to the statement issued by UCADA, the DGCA will "keep a close watch" on all shuttle helicopter services operating in the Char Dham region.

Aviation regulators are expected to examine:

• Flight operation records,

• Maintenance logs,

• Weather clearance procedures, and

• Pilot fatigue management.

The DGCA is also believed to be in discussions with private helicopter operators, laying down stricter compliance mandates, especially regarding mountain flying protocols.

Weather Conditions to Dictate Flights

CEO Sonika clarified that flights would only resume under favourable weather conditions. Given the volatile weather patterns in high-altitude areas like Kedarnath and Badrinath, she stated that real-time meteorological data would be used to determine safe flight windows.

“The safety of pilgrims is our utmost priority. We will ensure that no chopper takes off unless there is a green signal from the weather monitoring station,” she said.

She also confirmed that additional training and safety instructions were being circulated to pilots and ground crew.

Rising Safety Concerns and Public Criticism

In the wake of multiple fatal incidents over recent years, social activists and civil society groups have raised red flags over what they describe as "negligent regulation" of helicopter operations in the Char Dham sector.

“Uttarakhand has now seen multiple helicopter crashes in recent years. It’s no longer acceptable to simply blame weather every time. We need to question the aviation contracts, maintenance standards, and training protocols,” said Dehradun-based activist Harish Rawal.

Others have called for:

• Independent audits of helicopter operators,

• Creation of a dedicated aviation safety cell within the Char Dham Yatra control room,

• and GPS-enabled tracking systems on every flight.

According to data from aviation safety archives, Uttarakhand has witnessed at least 5 helicopter accidents in the last 10 years, most occurring during peak pilgrimage months.

High Demand, Limited Regulation

With thousands of pilgrims, especially elderly and differently-abled individuals, opting for helicopter travel during the Char Dham Yatra season, the demand for air services continues to surge each year.

Despite this, only a limited number of operators are certified to fly on these difficult mountain routes, many of which require advanced flying skills, particularly during rapid weather changes.

Pilots often operate under tight turnaround times, and high-altitude take-offs and landings present additional challenges. Aviation experts argue that safety protocols need to be not just revised but strictly enforced.

Char Dham Yatra and the Helicopter Network

The Char Dham Yatra, comprising the sacred shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, witnesses lakhs of pilgrims every year, particularly during the May to October window.

The helicopter network in the region has grown over the years, offering:

• Point-to-point travel from Dehradun or Guptkashi,

• Shuttle services to Kedarnath helipad,

• and VIP packages for Char Dham circuit completion in 1-2 days.

While this has boosted pilgrimage tourism, it has also strained infrastructure, raising urgent concerns about over-regulation and under-preparation.

Government’s Assurance and Way Forward

The Uttarakhand government has expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and promised enhanced safety frameworks in the coming days.

A high-level committee, comprising officials from UCADA, DGCA, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), has been formed to submit recommendations on improving safety oversight and pilot preparedness.

In the meantime, chopper services are set to resume cautiously from June 17, with the first flights depending on real-time weather clearances.

Pilgrims Advised Caution

Authorities have issued an advisory to all pilgrims planning to take helicopter services, urging them to:

• Check operator credentials,

• Ensure medical fitness for high-altitude travel,

• Avoid booking flights in low-visibility or bad weather, and

• Follow all pre-flight briefing instructions carefully.

With Char Dham Yatra 2025 in full swing, the government and aviation operators are under immense pressure to balance efficiency with safety.

The incident has served as a grim reminder that while technology can shorten the pilgrimage, it must not come at the cost of human lives.

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