Helicopter services at Kedarnath Dham have resumed after a temporary suspension following the tragic crash near Gaurikund in Rudraprayag district that claimed seven lives on Sunday, including that of the pilot.
According to Sonika, CEO of the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), although operations have technically resumed, actual flights are currently on hold due to unfavourable weather. “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,” she told ANI.
The resumption comes just a day after the fatal crash involving an Aryan Aviation helicopter en route from Kedarnath to Guptkashi around 5:30 am. The chopper crashed in a densely forested area of Gaurikund.
The victims included:
- Captain Rajbir Singh Chauhan (39), Jaipur
- Vikram Rawat (47), temple committee representative, Rasi
- Vinod Devi (66), Uttar Pradesh
- Trishti Singh (19), Uttar Pradesh
- Rajkumar Suresh Jaiswal (41), Gujarat
- Shraddha Rajkumar Jaiswal and Kashi (2), Maharashtra
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami chaired a high-level virtual meeting with senior officials in the wake of the accident. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is probing the crash, while the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced a reduction in helicopter operations across the Char Dham circuit as a precautionary measure.
The DGCA also confirmed that enhanced surveillance and operational safety reviews are underway. Following the crash, UCADA had temporarily suspended helicopter shuttle services to facilitate rescue efforts and ensure passenger safety amid ongoing unpredictable weather conditions.
Tourists have been advised to plan their Kedarnath travel based on updated weather alerts and aviation guidance from authorities.