The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has given its go ahead for resuming helicopter services at Uttarakhand chardham pilgrimage sites with expectations that monsoon may subside in coming days.
However, the date of restoration of heli sorties is yet to be finalized as the weather condition in high hills is still not conducive.
Decision to resume heli services for Uttarakhand chardham pilgrimage was taken in a review meeting of the DGCA authorities chaired by Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu in the presence of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in Delhi.
Although Naidu accepted the state government’s proposal of resumption of heli services he directed that special measures must be taken to ensure safer and convenient Chardham Yatra. The minister made it clear that negligence in the safety of pilgrims will not be tolerated.
Apart from the review meeting a DGCA team recently assessed the helipads in the state, inspected helicopters and operating firms between September 13 and 16. Following its assessment DGCA gave clearance to resume heli services for Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri and Badrinath.
However, it was done by the DGCA with a rider that every helicopter operating firm and pilots have to take extra safety measures for the pilgrims.
“Heli services to chardham shrines have been allowed to resume but sorties can take place only after weather improves in the state. Safety of the pilgrims will be our top priority. Pedestrian pilgrimage is still going on for Kedarnath, Badrinath and Gangotri barring Yamunotri. The Yamunotri Shrine route is still under renovation. It will be resumed soon” said Uttarakhand tourism minister Satpal Maharaj.
It’s significant that charter heli services are made available to the pilgrims from Dehradun to all four chardham shrines. However shuttle services are provided only for Kedarnath helipad from the Guptkashi, Phata and Sitapur helipad clusters.
Officials in Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) informed that six heli service firms have been allowed to operate shuttle services from Guptkashi, Phata, and Sitapur while seven firms will operate charter flights from Dehradun.
Helicopter services for Chardham pilgrimage were suspended following a series of mishaps in the air killing several pilgrims in the months of May and June. This had raised serious concerns for the safety of the pilgrims and fitness of the flying machines in Uttarakhand. In resumed heli services passengers will be tipped off with adequate safety briefing.
This will include essential information like proper use of seatbelts, safe boarding and deboarding procedures along with steps needed during an emergency, informed an UCADA official.