No compromise on safety: Minister on helicopter accidents on Char Dham Yatra route
Naidu said they have observed that pilots find it difficult to take off and land their aircraft during sudden weather changes, hence they will focus on use of better technology and better traffic control.
Helicopter crashes or emergency landings have been occurring at an alarming frequency on the Char Dham Yatra route in Uttarakhand, causing concern among people and the administration.
On June 15, an Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd chopper returning from Kedarnath near Guptkashi crashed, killed all seven persons on board.
It was the fifth incident involving a helicopter on the pilgrimage route this year.
Asked about safety measures for the Char Dham Yatra route in the wake of the helicopter crash, Naidu said the security and safety have been the primary foundation of the Indian civil aviation, adding that "safety has been treated as the top most priority".
"There should not be no compromise on the safety aspect. For the Char Dham Yatra, we want to enhance the safety even more. We are looking into enhanced surveillance. We are creating more systems," he said.
"Since it is a hilly area, the air traffic management is challenging as there is no signal there. That is why we are looking for innovative solutions so that we can have better air traffic control," he told reporters on the sidelines of the Helicopters & Small Aircraft Summit 2025 here.
The minister said they are also working to have better processing of the weather data.
"We have observed that suddenly the weather changes and pilots find it difficult to take off and land during that time. So our thrust will be on bringing in better technology, bringing in better traffic control," he said.
In the next two to three months, the civil aviation (ministry) will bring in better solutions, the minister said.
"By September, we will come up with new things," he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
30 minutes ago
- Business Standard
India, US 'actively involved' in trade talks: Govt a day after MEA rebuke
Hours after issuing a strong response to the United States' (US) threat of additional tariffs, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday said that it is actively involved in the discussions with the US, with the aim of expanding trade and investment. "Government of India is actively involved in the discussions on the India-USA Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the Government of the United States with the aim to expand trade and investment and deepening the India-US trade relationship to promote growth that ensures fairness, national security and job creation," said Jitin Prasada, minister of state for Commerce & Industry, in response to a question by Lok Sabha member Kodikunnil Suresh. He added that the Centre has held five rounds of talks with the US between March and July 2025. The next round of talks is scheduled later this month in India. This follows a scathing response from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) a day earlier to US President Donald Trump's threat of higher tariffs on Indian goods for importing Russian oil. The MEA labeled Trump's criticism as 'unjustified and unreasonable,' stating that India's energy relations with Russia are based on national necessity and remain significantly smaller than Russia's trade with Western countries. 'It is revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion," the MEA said in a statement on Monday. Agricultural safeguards Suresh also asked a question about the Centre's assessment of the proposed free trade agreement's (FTA) impact on small farmers, and steps to protect India's agricultural interests. Responding to it, the minister said that international trade negotiations allow for the inclusion of sensitive, negative, or exclusion lists—categories of goods on which limited or no tariff concessions are granted. "In addition, in case of surge in imports and injury to the domestic industry, a country is allowed to take recourse to trade remedial measures such as anti-dumping and safeguards on imports within the periods as mutually agreed to by the parties under FTAs," he added.
Mint
30 minutes ago
- Mint
Embassy of Khalistan in Surrey gurdwara? BJP, Cong leaders flag Canada's ‘free speech', claim ‘…is weakening Sikhs'
A new controversy has erupted between India and Canada following the reported appearance of a so-called 'Embassy of Khalistan' signboard on the premises of a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia. The makeshift installation, allegedly supported by the separatist outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has reignited diplomatic and political tensions, with Indian MPs urging New Delhi and Ottawa to act decisively. According to a report by News18, a building within the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara complex in Surrey now bears signage labelling it as the 'Embassy of Khalistan', purportedly representing the 'Republic of Khalistan'. The board is said to have been installed by the banned organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), known for its separatist agenda and repeated attempts to revive the Khalistan movement from foreign soil. The structure, which locals claim also functions as a community centre, reportedly received $150,000 in funding from the British Columbia government for infrastructure upgrades, including an elevator. Its repurposing as a 'Khalistani outpost' has sparked outrage and concerns over misuse of public funds and foreign interference. Reacting to the development, Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla highlighted the broad scope of free speech in Canada but called on the Indian government to raise the issue with Canadian authorities. 'There is a lot of freedom of speech there. Our government should raise this issue with the Canadian government,' Aujla said. BJP leader Tarwinder Singh Marwaha took a firmer stance, criticising diaspora-based Khalistan supporters. 'Those living abroad talking about Khalistan are weakening the Sikhs. I appeal to the Canadian government to take action. I would like to say to the External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar to take appropriate action,' he stated. The latest development comes weeks after Canada's top intelligence agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), confirmed in its annual report that Khalistani extremists continue to operate from Canadian soil. Released in June, the CSIS report acknowledged for the first time that such elements are actively involved in fundraising, advocacy, and plotting violence — primarily targeting India. The CSIS stated: 'Khalistani extremists continue to use Canada as a base for the promotion, fundraising, or planning of violence primarily in India.' India and Canada have had strained diplomatic ties since September 2023, when tensions flared following a series of provocations by Khalistani groups and perceived inaction by Canadian authorities. The setting up of what is being described as a symbolic 'Khalistani embassy' adds to the list of grievances New Delhi has with Ottawa's handling of politically motivated violent extremism. New Delhi has consistently urged the Canadian government to crack down on Khalistani sympathisers operating from its territory. The Ministry of External Affairs has previously raised objections to anti-India protests and processions held under the banner of Khalistan, which often coincide with Indian diplomatic missions being targeted or disrupted. The presence of Canada-based Khalistani extremists (CBKEs) has long been a contentious issue. Since the 1980s, Canada has faced criticism for offering a permissive environment for such groups under the guise of democratic freedoms. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, an advocate for Khalistan, was shot and killed on 18 June 2023 in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, Canada. His assassination has sparked a major diplomatic dispute between Canada and India, with Canada accusing Indian government agents of involvement, a claim strongly denied by India. Experts argue that a lack of stringent enforcement has allowed radical outfits to gain ground, often under the radar of mainstream Canadian politics.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
30 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Trump's 25% tariff on India: What it means for students and skilled workers
Last week, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order updating 'reciprocal' tariff rates that had been paused since April. Nearly every American trading partner now faces tariffs ranging from 10 per cent to 50 per cent. For India, the rate stands at 25 per cent, with a further risk of penalties tied to its trade dealings with Russia. The question many are now asking—how will this trade war impact Indians planning to study or work in the United States? President Trump's tightening grip on immigration and foreign students has become a cause of concern. Dreamers, international students applying for visas, and those hoping to work in the US post-graduation are all feeling the squeeze as the administration clamps down on universities and pushes back against global talent. 'Everything is so interconnected these days. India's soft power itself is a major advantage, a trade plus, if you will, that the country enjoys over others. So, yes, I do believe the current situation could escalate and spill over into various policy areas—not just F-1, H-1B, or B-1/B-2 visas. It could even touch EB categories. EB-5, I'm not entirely sure, but most other categories are likely to get caught up. They'll end up being affected, directly or indirectly,' said Ajay Sharma, founder of Abhinav Immigration Services, speaking to Business Standard. While the tariff hikes themselves don't directly target Indian students, Sharma explained that the damage often lies in perception. 'There's no direct impact from the tariff hikes. But what tends to happen in such scenarios—and this is quite unfortunate—is that the destination starts getting a negative image,' he said. 'That perception really influences students' future plans. We saw this with Canada recently, and the same could unfold with the US. Already, students are stuck waiting endlessly just to get a visa appointment. Add to that the overall uncertainty, and it's not a good look,' Sharma added. The rupee's weakening against the dollar adds another layer of financial strain, though Sharma believes it's not the most critical hurdle. 'The rupee's depreciation will, of course, hit students' pockets, but perhaps not as severely. That's because the rupee is weakening against most major currencies, not just the dollar. So while it's a factor, it might not be the biggest hurdle for students eyeing the US. What's more worrying is the combination of rising costs, bureaucratic delays, and the growing sense of diplomatic friction between India and the US. That mix creates a perception problem, and once that sets in, it becomes a serious deterrent for students and even businesses,' he said. Nikhil Mudgal, founder and CEO of Lorien Finance, echoed similar concerns. 'With the rupee continuing to weaken and the recent tariff adding to the cost of education in the US, Indian students are indeed feeling the financial pinch,' he said. Mudgal added, 'The need of the hour is transparent, cross-border financing options that don't add to the burden, but genuinely enable global aspirations.' US campuses losing their appeal? Fanta Aw, CEO of the international education group NAFSA, painted a grim picture of the mood among students. 'International students and their families seek predictability, security, and a welcoming environment when choosing where to study,' said Aw in a blog post on NAFSA. 'The US government's recent actions have created an atmosphere of fear and confusion that has students, scholars, and their families understandably concerned about their safety and future in the United States. These actions by the government will likely result in prospective students choosing to study elsewhere and current students accelerating the completion of their degrees so they can return home sooner. Students have many options when it comes to study destinations,' Aw added. Impact on global student mobility may be deeper than it looks Market intelligence group ICEF Monitor expects the fallout from Trump's policies to ripple across global student flows. They note several possible shifts: • Less demand for studying in the US, as students fear visa refusals, revocations, or even detentions if an ICE officer finds their views or activities to be 'contrary to US interests'. • Rising hesitation among students from minority backgrounds, including non-white, LGBTQ+, and other marginalised groups, due to Trump's assault on DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programmes. • A broader slump in study abroad volumes, as the administration's reduction of aid to developing countries forces governments to divert funds from education to health sectors. • Student interest moving to alternative destinations, including Canada, Europe, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and even Russia, as the US's global standing continues to wobble. A year ago, IDP Education data had shown the US regaining student demand lost by Australia, Canada, and the UK due to their restrictive visa policies. ICEF believes that trend may now reverse. 'The US may join those other leading destinations in losing share of international students. Great numbers of Asian students may favour other Asian countries, including China, for study abroad, and more EU students may choose to stay within their region as well,' ICEF Monitor noted. Indian workers in tariff-hit sectors could face indirect job hurdles The ripple effects aren't limited to students. Indian workers, especially in sectors like manufacturing or IT hardware—industries directly hit by tariffs—could face subtle disadvantages when it comes to visa sponsorships or job placements. Sharma believes companies aren't planning their hiring purely around visa constraints, but geopolitical strains do make a difference. 'You know, it's not all Indians, because the way I see it, the technology companies do not work or plan their hiring by only visa situations. As the recent layoffs indicate and statements from companies like Microsoft and Google show, when they laid off people, it included not only Americans but even hedge fund workers. So they need people to work, and for how long they'll survive without India's soft power?' Sharma said.
