Chopper crash toll highest in U'khand, 21 dead in 5 yrs
Of the 30 deaths in these incidents across India, 21 died in Uttarakhand alone. Maharashtra recorded four crashes with seven deaths, while Chhattisgarh saw one crash resulting in two casualties.
The alarming figures have renewed concerns over aviation safety in the hill state, especially during the annual Char Dham yatra. One of the deadliest crashes occurred in Oct 2022, when a helicopter ferrying pilgrims to Kedarnath crashed on a hill, killing all seven onboard.
This year, two fatal crashes on May 8 in Uttarkashi and on June 15 near Kedarnath have already claimed 13 lives. These incidents were among five helicopter mishaps reported on the yatra route in just 45 days.
In response, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has stepped up safety audits and surveillance of helicopter operations in high-risk and pilgrimage zones. Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (Ucada) has also announced plans to set up an Air Traffic Control (ATC) at Sahastradhara heliport -- a move that has been repeatedly recommended by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
by Taboola
by Taboola
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Experts say the latest data highlights the need for urgent reforms. "With scant regard to carrying capacity, basic safety protocols and a blind pursuit of record footfall during the Char Dham yatra, the system often bends to accommodate more than it can safely handle. It's a recipe for disaster," said Anoop Nautiyal, founder of Dehradun-based Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation.
A senior aviator familiar with flying conditions in Uttarakhand's mountainous terrain, who wished to remain anonymous, said a dedicated control centre should have been established at Kedarnath long ago, considering the volume of helicopter traffic to the shrine, which often exceeds 200 sorties a day.
"Everyone in the aviation circuit knows that Kedar valley is India's most challenging air corridor, yet it lacks even basic safety infrastructure," he said.
Aviation experts have long urged stricter regulations, better weather forecasting, high-altitude pilot training and cap on operations during adverse conditions. With pilgrim numbers rising each year, they warn that without systemic change, Uttarakhand's skies will continue to bear a deadly burden.
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