Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority enforces strict measures for Char Dham Yatra after last year’s accidents
April 15, 2026: Uttarakhand has announced stricter aviation safety measures ahead of the Char Dham Yatra starting April 19, following five helicopter accidents within 40 days last year. The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority has reduced flight operations by 30% and made it mandatory for pilots to have at least 1,500 flying hours, including 750 hours in mountainous terrain. Companies linked to previous accidents have been barred, and new operators have been selected through a fresh tender process.
The move comes after a fatal crash in June 2025 near Gaurikund, where seven pilgrims died while travelling from Kedarnath to Guptkashi. To strengthen safety, authorities are setting up command centres at Sersi and Sahastradhara, along with temporary air traffic control units. Surveillance has also been enhanced with the installation of 33 cameras at helipads and key locations to provide real-time monitoring, including weather updates.
Infrastructure upgrades are underway, including helipad expansion at Badrinath, slope correction at Kedarnath, and the marking of high-tension wires for better visibility. Officials said pilots must undergo terrain familiarisation before flying in the Kedarnath valley, and operators must keep standby helicopters ready. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation will monitor compliance and conduct trial flights to ensure adherence to safety norms before operations begin.