Following helicopter accidents during the first phase of the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand this year, the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Department is taking proactive measures. Every possible step is being taken to ensure the safety of the second phase of the helicopter pilgrimage. As part of this, the helicopter services to Kedarnath Dham are now being monitored using CCTV cameras. CCTV cameras have been installed at the helipads, and an airborne image recording system has been activated inside the helicopters to continuously record footage during flights. Helicopter services to Kedarnath are operated every year in the state, primarily from Guptkashi, Sirsi, and Phata. This year, one helicopter crashed during the Kedarnath pilgrimage, resulting in the deaths of seven people. The second phase of the pilgrimage has now begun. In this context, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UKADA) have taken serious steps to enhance the safety of helicopter services. CCTV cameras have been installed at every helipad to monitor all helicopter take-offs and landings. Similarly, recording systems have been installed inside the helicopters to monitor activities during flight. It has been clarified that a maximum of six helicopters can be in the air along this route at any given time, with only four helicopters permitted to fly over the Kedarnath Valley. This arrangement is being implemented by all helicopter companies in coordination. A control room has also been established in Sitapur to monitor these operations, staffed by technical officers from DGCA, UKADA, and other expert agencies. UKADA CEO Ashish Chauhan stated that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been formulated for the operation of these helicopter services, and their implementation is being ensured accordingly.
