Helicopter crash halts Char Dham flights

New Delhi

 Following a deadly helicopter crash near Guptkashi that killed seven people, including the pilot, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has suspended Aryan Aviation’s operations for the Char Dham Yatra with immediate effect. The tragic incident involved a private chopper returning from Kedarnath, prompting swift action from both central and state authorities.

The Uttarakhand government has also temporarily halted all helicopter services on the Char Dham route for two days and launched a high-level investigation. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held an emergency meeting and announced stringent safety measures to prevent further mishaps.

“Protecting pilgrims’ lives is our utmost priority. Any lapse will face strict consequences,” said Dhami. He directed officials to develop a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for heli services and set up a dedicated Command and Coordination Centre in Dehradun.

The proposed centre will include members from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), and private heli operators. Dhami also emphasised the need for installing advanced weather monitoring systems in the Himalayan region and ensuring that only experienced pilots operate flights in high-altitude zones.

This is the fifth helicopter accident reported along the Char Dham Yatra route since the pilgrimage season began on April 30, raising major concerns over flight safety in the area.

The suspended pilot licences and operational bans signal a tightening of regulatory oversight as the state grapples with increasing air traffic and difficult flying conditions in its mountainous terrain.