Turbulence Over the Himalayas: DGCA Cracks Down as Helicopter Scares Mount During Char Dham Yatra

By Doon Mozaic News Desk
June 10, 2025 | Rudraprayag / New Delhi

In the heart of the Char Dham Yatra season, the skies above Uttarakhand are stirring growing concerns. Following a series of near-tragic helicopter incidents — including a dramatic emergency landing on a Rudraprayag highway — India’s aviation regulator has launched a crackdown on helicopter operators, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for safety breaches.

On June 7, six passengers onboard a Kedarnath-bound Kestrel Aviation helicopter had a narrow escape after the aircraft made a hard landing on a road next to the Barasu helipad. Though no one was injured, the incident has triggered deep alarm, coming in the wake of four major helicopter mishaps in just over a month.

In swift response, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended Kestrel Aviation and another unnamed operator for serious violations of standard operating procedures (SOPs). The action follows repeated “occurrences” that suggest operational negligence, poor visibility management, and possibly mechanical vulnerabilities.

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A Pattern of Alarming Incidents

This latest landing scare joins a grim sequence:

• May 8: A devastating crash near Gangnani in Uttarkashi killed six, including the pilot and five women.
• May 12: A chopper returning from Badrinath made an emergency landing in a school playground in Ukhimath due to poor visibility.
• May 17: A heli ambulance from AIIMS Rishikesh crash-landed near Kedarnath after sustaining damage, although no injuries were reported.

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DGCA’s Emergency Measures

In a statement, the DGCA said, “Any deviation from the SOPs is now being monitored in real-time using live feeds provided by the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA).” The regulator has:

• Suspended two operators, including Kestrel Aviation Pvt. Ltd., effective immediately.
• Initiated live monitoring and surprise audits of all helicopter operations in the region.
• Issued directives restricting flights to operate only under OGE (Out of Ground Effect) conditions.
• Warned of potential curtailment of all helicopter services if safety isn’t ensured.

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Pilgrimage Under Pressure

Each year, the Char Dham Yatra draws lakhs of pilgrims to the shrines of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri. With challenging terrains and high-altitude weather, helicopters offer a vital — though expensive — lifeline for many, particularly the elderly.

But with multiple air scares now raising fears of an unfolding crisis, the government is under pressure to balance faith and safety.

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The Road Ahead

The DGCA’s decisive action signals that the era of relaxed oversight is over. But structural challenges remain — including rapid commercialization of religious tourism, weather unpredictability in the Himalayas, and operator accountability.

As investigations unfold, the hope remains that no more lives are gambled in the name of convenience. The mountains may be sacred, but safety must be paramount.

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