Uttarakhand CM Promises Stricter SOPs for Helicopter Services After Chardham Yatra Incidents

By A Staff Reporter

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced a renewed focus on safety measures for helicopter services operating in the state, especially during the high-volume pilgrimage season of the Chardham Yatra. His remarks follow a series of troubling incidents that raised concerns about the current operational standards of aerial transport in the region.

"Recently, some unfortunate incidents came to light during the Chardham Yatra," said CM Dhami, while addressing the media in Dehradun. "When helicopter services are restarted in September, we will work with more secure Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)."

The Chief Minister emphasized that the safety of pilgrims and tourists remains the government’s highest priority. “We have also ensured that there is no compromise with the safety of the passengers. All helicopter services should operate within the prescribed guidelines,” he added.

Highlighting the challenging terrain and volatile weather patterns of Uttarakhand, Dhami urged private helicopter operators to elevate safety standards. “I request the helicopter operators in Uttarakhand to provide special training to their pilots for flying in Uttarakhand,” he stated, underscoring the need for tailored aviation preparedness in the Himalayan state.