CM Dhami clarifies in strong words to Heli Service Operators that tampering with safety standards will not be tolerated Chief Minister gives strict instructions regarding the safety standards of the heli service Instructions have also been given to audit the heli accidents in the past years The Chief Minister has given the responsibility of preparing a concrete policy to operate only double engine helicopters in the future to UCADA to make it mandatory to install weather cameras in all the Chardham valleys Ucada CM Dhami has made it clear to all the Heli service providers and operators serving in Uttarakhand that there should be no compromise on the safety standards of Heli services.
Chief Minister Dhami categorically said that safety standards should be given top priority without being overwhelmed by the increasing number of passengers taking the heli service. Along with this, the Chief Minister has also directed for audit and continuous review of the heli accidents that have taken place in the past years so that they do not recur. “As the nodal state, the safety of passengers is our foremost responsibility. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has given strict instructions to strictly follow the regular fitness check of the helicopter, to make a solid and effective SOP for helicopter ticket booking and to strictly follow the safety standards of the engine of the helicopter operating in the high Himalayan regions.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was reviewing the heli service services of the state with all the helicopter service providers and operators, UCODA, AAIB and DGCA offering their services in Uttarakhand at the Chief Minister’s residence. In view of the obstacles in heli services due to weather, accurate weather information and security, Chief Minister Dhami has directed to install weather cameras in Kedar Valley as well as in all other Chardham Valleys. He has also directed YUCADA to formulate a concrete policy for operating only double engine helicopters in future.
The Chief Minister has also directed the UCODA and concerned stakeholders to study the Heli Service model being operated at Vaishno Devi. He has directed to keep only highly experienced pilots in heli services in the state. Along with this, Chief Minister Dhami has also given strict instructions to the heli operators to maintain sensitive behaviour with the passengers so that tourists from all over the world can take a pleasant experience from Devbhoomi. He has also directed the heli operators and administration to carry out a cleanliness drive on the Chardham routes. The Chief Minister said that in view of the increasing demand for heli services in the future, many helipads are under construction in the state. So far this year, more than 66,000 passengers have availed the facility of Heli Shuttle services.
Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami has also directed UCODA to prepare an action plan for the next 10 years for Heli services in the State. He said that being a tourism and Chardham state, the demand for Heli services is going to increase more and more in the state. Heli services will be the base of the state in the future due to adverse geographical conditions. Principal Secretaries R. K. Sudhanshu, R. Meenakshi Sundaram, Secretary Sachin Kurve, Additional Secretary Mrs. Sonika and all the Heli and Chartered Service Operators serving in the State were present in the meeting. Department of Information and Public Relations.