DGCA tightens helicopter safety rules after Badrinath crash; operators threaten service halt

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has implemented stricter safety protocols for helicopter services operating on the Chardham pilgrimage circuit in Uttarakhand, requiring all aircraft to carry a minimum of two pilots during flights. The directive comes in response to a helicopter accident that occurred near the sacred shrine of Badrinath.

Helicopter operators providing services to pilgrims undertaking the Chardham yatra have raised strong objections to the new regulation. Industry representatives contend that the requirement to maintain dual-pilot crews will substantially increase operational expenses and compromise service viability across the mountainous terrain of the Himalayan pilgrimage routes.

Operators have formally written to both the DGCA and Uttarakhand Tourism Development Authority (UGADA), requesting an immediate review of the mandate. They have cautioned that failure to reconsider the ruling could force them to suspend or significantly curtail helicopter services to the region, potentially affecting pilgrims who rely on air transport due to challenging ground access and adverse weather conditions.

The Chardham pilgrimage circuit, comprising the temples of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Tungnath, and Chopta, attracts thousands of devotees annually. Helicopter services have become increasingly popular among pilgrims seeking to complete the sacred journey despite physical limitations or time constraints.