June 15, 2025: Following a tragic helicopter crash near Kedarnath that claimed the lives of seven people, including the pilot, the Uttarakhand government has suspended all helicopter services in the region for the next two days.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the immediate suspension and emphasized the need for enhanced safety measures before resuming operations. “A control and command centre will be established. Helicopter services will remain closed until passenger safety is assured,” he stated.
The CM has directed aviation companies to strictly adhere to safety regulations laid down by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). He stressed that only experienced pilots familiar with the Himalayan terrain should be permitted to fly in the region. Violations of these norms will lead to strict action, he warned.
An emergency meeting has also been convened to ensure that all aviation operators comply fully with DGCA guidelines and prioritize safety in these high-altitude zones.
The crash occurred early Sunday morning when a helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation lost contact after taking off from the Kedarnath helipad around 5:20 am en route to Guptkashi. It later crashed near Gaurikund in the Rudraprayag district.
The victims of the crash have been identified as Captain Rajveer Singh Chauhan (pilot), Rajkumar Suresh Jaiswal (41), Shradha Rajkumar Jaiswal (35), their 23-month-old child Kashi, all from Maharashtra; Vikram (46) from Rudraprayag; and Vinod Dev (66) and Tusti Singh (29) from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh.
The tragic incident has cast a shadow over pilgrimage routes, prompting renewed scrutiny over flight safety in difficult mountain terrains.