Following a tragic helicopter crash that claimed seven lives, including an infant, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced the suspension of helicopter services to Kedarnath for the next two days. The decision comes after a chopper carrying pilgrims crashed on Sunday, prompting concerns about passenger safety.

Dhami stated in an interview with news agency ANI that the helicopter services will not be operational for the next two days. He emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of passengers before resuming operations.

As a precautionary measure, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also declared a reduction in the frequencies of helicopter operations to Char Dham. Dhami has instructed aviation companies to strictly adhere to safety norms set by the DGCA and warned of severe consequences for any violations.

The chief minister highlighted the necessity for pilots flying in the Himalayan region to have adequate experience and urged aviation companies to prioritize this requirement. He proposed the establishment of a control and command center for helicopters to enhance safety measures.

During an emergency meeting, Dhami reiterated the importance of following DGCA rules and assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible for the recent crash. While attributing the incident to bad weather, he expressed condolences for the lives lost in the tragic accident.

Kedarnath Helicopter Crash Details

On June 15, a helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation crashed near Gaurikund in Rudraprayag district while en route from Kedarnath Dham to Guptkashi. The crash resulted in the tragic deaths of seven individuals, including the pilot and passengers on board:

• Captain Rajbir Singh Chauhan (39)
• Vikram Rawat (47)
• Vinod Devi (66), Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee representative
• Trishti Singh (19)
• Rajkumar Suresh Jaiswal (41)
• Wife Shraddha Jaiswal
• Daughter Kashi Jaiswal (2)