World · India Bureau
DGCA grounds Char Dham helicopter services for remainder of season
India's aviation regulator has suspended helicopter operations on the Char Dham pilgrimage route following a dispute with operators over new safety requirements. The decision comes after service providers rejected a mandate requiring co-pilots on all flights, citing prohibitive costs and insufficient time for implementation.
LSN India ·
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a suspension order affecting helicopter services to the four sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath—for the remainder of the current season. The move follows an escalating disagreement between the regulator and helicopter operators over mandatory safety protocols.
The central point of contention is a new DGCA directive mandating the presence of a co-pilot on every helicopter flight operating in the region. Operators have strongly opposed the requirement, arguing that the regulation would necessitate expensive aircraft modifications and that the compressed timeframe for compliance makes implementation practically impossible during the active pilgrimage season.
Helicopter services have long provided critical connectivity to the Char Dham temples, particularly during monsoon and winter months when road access becomes treacherous or impossible. The services typically operate from April through October, ferrying pilgrims and essential supplies to high-altitude locations.
The suspension represents a significant disruption for devotees planning visits to these important pilgrimage destinations. The dispute underscores ongoing tensions between India's aviation safety regulator and commercial operators regarding the balance between enhanced safety measures and operational feasibility.