Following a review meeting led by Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has authorized the resumption of helicopter services for the 2025 Char Dham Yatra. This decision comes after a reduction in monsoon rains and improved weather conditions. The ministry has emphasized the importance of enhancing safety measures for the pilgrimage.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has instructed the DGCA to take stringent actions and ensure safe travel, with a firm stance against any lapses in security. The ministry coordinated with the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, holding several review meetings in Dehradun and Delhi to improve coordination between the DGCA, the Airports Authority of India, the state government, and the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority.
The DGCA conducted an assessment of all helipads, helicopters, and operator preparedness from September 13 to 16. Based on this assessment, the DGCA has granted permission for helicopter operations. Moreover, the DGCA provided information on challenges and additional safety measures related to pilgrimage operations to all helicopter operating companies and pilots. The ministry highlights the vital role of helicopter services in improving the accessibility of pilgrims to the high-altitude pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand. The DGCA will closely monitor helicopter operations during the Char Dham Yatra. Earlier, several helicopter crashes in the Char Dham sector in May-June raised concerns, leading to recommendations for enhanced safety measures from various high-powered committees.
Helicopter Services for Char Dham Yatra:
Charter services will be offered from Sahastradhara, Dehradun, to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
Shuttle services will be provided from the Guptkashi, Phata, Sitapur cluster to Shri Kedarnath Ji Helipad.
Six helicopter operators will conduct helicopter shuttle operations from the Guptkashi, Phata, Sitapur cluster and seven operators will conduct charter flights from Dehradun (Sahastradhara).
Before boarding a helicopter, all passengers will be provided with safety information, including the use of seatbelts, instructions on boarding and disembarking safely, and measures to be taken in emergency situations.
