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Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Uttarakhand sets up committee to prepare SOP for safe operation of choppers
DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand government has set up a committee to prepare standard operating procedures (SOP) for the operation of helicopter service in the state. The committee, which has been constituted against the backdrop of 13 deaths in five incidents involving choppers over the last six weeks, will be headed by state home secretary Shailesh Bagauli. It will submit its report by August 15. Bagauli said the committee will analyse the causes of helicopter accidents and prepare a comprehensive report outlining the necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future. It will also come up with recommendations regarding manpower, equipment, and administrative reforms for Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) and review the existing SOPs formulated by the state's aviation authority. The panel is expected to update the SOP and give suggestions to strengthen the weather information and communication system. The committee will also recommend measures to enhance the existing air traffic management system in the state. A Bell 407 helicopter, operated by Aryan Aviation, crashed en route to Guptkashi from the Kedarnath shrine on June 15 amid poor visibility in the region. It was the fifth helicopter accident since the Char Dham Yatra began on April 30 this year. The crash highlighted safety concerns over helicopter operations serving the Char Dham pilgrimage route, which includes four sacred Hindu temples. The routes see tens of thousands of pilgrims annually, many using helicopters to navigate the treacherous mountain terrain. According to data released by the state government, 49,247 devotees have used heli services Char Dham yatra this year. Eight companies are operating from nine helipads this season. The civil aviation ministry said preliminary findings suggest 'controlled flight into terrain'. Operations for Aryan Aviation were suspended immediately and an investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) was launched. The other members of the committee are the state's civil aviation secretary, disaster management secretary, chief executive officer of UCADA, executive director, Airspace Management, Government of India, executive Director, Air Traffic Management, Government of India, an official nominated by the aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation, an official nominated by AAIB, an official nominated by India Meteorological Department (IMD), and one member each from among operators/pilots nominated by DGCA and UCADA.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Climate
- The Hindu
Suspension of heli services for Char Dham ends, no sorties made due to bad weather
The suspension of heli services on the Char Dham route, ordered after a helicopter crash two days ago, ended on Tuesday (June 17, 2025) but no helicopter took off for Kedarnath due to bad weather in the Kedar Valley, an official said. Heli services on the Char Dham route had been suspended for two days after the helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation crashed near Kedarnath early on Sunday (June 15, 2025) morning amid low visibility, killing all seven persons on board. The government had given permission for helicopter operations from Tuesday (June 17, 2025) but due to unfavourable weather conditions, helicopters did not take off for Kedarnath, Rudraprayag's District Tourism Officer and Heli Service Nodal Officer Rahul Chaubey said. Announcing the suspension, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had said heli operations will be resumed on the route only after properly reviewing the situation. Bad weather is said to have been one of the major factors behind the Sunday (June 15, 2025) crash. Pilots flying in the Char Dham sector have to face many challenges, including fickle weather, high altitudes and narrow valleys. After the Sunday (June 15, 2025) incident, the Civil Aviation Ministry said it has suspended the operations of Aryan Aviation for the Char Dham Yatra and has directed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to immediately post officers from airworthiness, safety and operations to actively oversee all helicopter activity in the Kedarnath Valley. Also read | Helicopter-related accidents in Uttarakhand over the years: A timeline It also suspended the licences of two pilots of TransBharat Aviation for six months, as their choppers were found to have been airborne under similar unsuitable weather conditions. The Ministry said it has asked the DGCA to rigorously review the functioning of the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) command-and-control room.
India Gazette
4 days ago
- General
- India Gazette
Retired Lt Colonel Rajveer Singh Chauhan's wife bids teary farewell to her husband, killed in Uttarakhand helicopter crash
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], June 17 (ANI): Lieutenant Colonel (Retd.) Rajveer Singh Chauhan's wife, Lt Colonel Deepika Chauhan, on Tuesday, bid a teary farewell to her husband, who was the pilot of a helicopter that crashed in Uttarakhand's Kedarnath, killing him and six others. Chauhan's relatives, friends and many others attended the funeral ceremony in Jaipur. Five adults, one infant and one crew member were on board the Aryan Aviation's Bell 407 helicopter operating in the 'Shri Kedarnath Ji - Aryan Helipad, Guptkashi' sector that crashed on Sunday, the Civil Aviation Ministry said in a statement. The helicopter took off from Guptkashi at 05:10 am and landed at Shri Kedarnath Ji Helipad at 05:18 am before departing again at 05:19 am for Guptkashi and is reported to have crashed near Gaurikund between 05:30 am and 05:45 am, the statement said. The ministry said that preliminary indications suggest that the probable cause of the crash may be Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT), with the helicopter reportedly airborne despite poor visibility and extensive clouding at the valley entry area. The exact cause will be determined through a detailed investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Following the incident, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, convened a high-level meeting, which was attended by senior officials of the Government of Uttarakhand, the Secretary (Civil Aviation), the DGCA, and associated teams. All charter and shuttle helicopter operations in the region were suspended on June 15-16, as a safety precaution. However, earlier today, helicopter operations at the Kedarnath Dham were resumed, and the tourists were told to plan their journey according to the weather, according to Sonika, the CEO of Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority. She mentioned that flying in the region has not resumed but will resume once the weather improves. 'Heli operations have resumed today. As the weather is not favourable currently, flying has not resumed yet. But as soon as we get clear weather, flying will resume', Sonika told ANI. (ANI)
India Gazette
4 days ago
- General
- India Gazette
India is strong due to such Bravehearts: Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore pays tribute to Lt Colonel Rajveer Singh Chauhan
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India] June 17 (ANI): Rajasthan Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore paid his respects to Lt Colonel Rajveer Singh Chauhan on Tuesday. Lt Colonel Rajveer Singh Chauhan (Retd.) was one of the seven people who died in a helicopter crash in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, on June 15. Rathore, Lt Colonel Deepika Chauhan, wife of Lt Colonel Rajveer Singh Chauhan, and others took part in his funeral procession from Shastri Nagar. Rathore saluted the family and praised the officer's mother for her remarkable strength and patriotism. While speaking to ANI, Rathore said, 'It is an hour of grief for a family as well as the entire nation. A brave officer is no more among us, he left us at a very young tribute to such a brave officer.' The minister recalled, 'I salute his family. His mother chanted 'Bharat Mata ki jai' and 'Vande Mataram' even when she lost her son, who was so young. I touched her feet. She said that she was made strong by her son and is strong due to such Bravehearts. I salute the family and extend my heartfelt tribute.' Lt Colonel Deepika Chauhan bid a teary farewell to her husband, who was the pilot of a helicopter that crashed in Uttarakhand's Kedarnath, killing him and six others. Chauhan's relatives, friends and many others attended the funeral ceremony in Jaipur. Five adults, one infant and one crew member were on board the Aryan Aviation's Bell 407 helicopter operating in the 'Shri Kedarnath Ji - Aryan Helipad, Guptkashi' sector that crashed on Sunday, the Civil Aviation Ministry said in a statement. The helicopter took off from Guptkashi at 05:10 am and landed at Shri Kedarnath Ji Helipad at 05:18 am before departing again at 05:19 am for Guptkashi and is reported to have crashed near Gaurikund between 05:30 am and 05:45 am, the statement said. The ministry said that preliminary indications suggest that the probable cause of the crash may be Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT), with the helicopter reportedly airborne despite poor visibility and extensive clouding at the valley entry area. The exact cause will be determined through a detailed investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Following the incident, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, convened a high-level meeting, which was attended by senior officials of the Government of Uttarakhand, the Secretary (Civil Aviation), the DGCA, and associated teams. All charter and shuttle helicopter operations in the region were suspended on June 15-16, as a safety precaution. However, earlier today, helicopter operations at the Kedarnath Dham were resumed, and the tourists were told to plan their journey according to the weather, according to Sonika, the CEO of Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority. She mentioned that flying in the region has not resumed but will resume once the weather improves. 'Heli operations have resumed today. As the weather is not favourable currently, flying has not resumed yet. But as soon as we get clear weather, flying will resume', Sonika told ANI. (ANI)
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- General
- Business Standard
After Kedarnath crash, Uttarakhand to resume helicopter services on June 17
Helicopter shuttle operations for the Char Dham Yatra will resume on Tuesday (June 17), a day after the service was stopped following the deadly crash in Kedarnath valley. Sonika, chief executive of the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), confirmed on Monday evening that flights would restart 'only if the weather conditions will be favourable'. The service was suspended on Sunday morning when a chopper ferrying pilgrims from Kedarnath to Guptkashi went down near the forested area of Gaurikund, killing all seven people on board — among them a pilot who had recently become a father of twins, a Maharashtra couple travelling with their two-year-old daughter, and an elderly woman from Uttar Pradesh accompanied by her granddaughter. DGCA cuts flight frequency, CM issues stern warning Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami had initially ordered a two-day halt 'to prioritise passenger safety' after the Aryan Aviation helicopter crash. 'Helicopter services will not run today or tomorrow. These services will remain closed until the safety of the passengers is ensured,' he said on Sunday. In the interim, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) mandated a reduction in helicopter sorties to the Char Dham and it will keep 'a close watch on all the shuttle services'. At an emergency review meeting, the chief minister directed operators to 'strictly adhere to DGCA safety guidelines,' adding, 'Our instructions are clear — aviation companies must not flout DGCA rules.' Aryan Aviation booked under Aircraft Act A case has been registered against Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd for alleged negligence leading to the fatal crash. The Bell 407 helicopter, which belonged to the company, is believed to have crashed due to poor weather conditions in the forested region of Gauri Mai Khark, between Gaurikund and Triyuginarayan. Police have filed a case against Aryan Aviation's Accountable Manager Kaushik Pathak and Manager Vikas Tomar at the Sonprayag police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 10 of the Aircraft Act, 1934. The FIR was lodged based on a complaint by Sub-Inspector Rajiv Nakholia, posted in Phata. According to the complaint, Aryan Aviation had been allotted the first operational slot between 6 am and 7 am on June 15, but the accident occurred at 5.30 am — before official operations were scheduled to begin.
