Soumyajyoti Mandal, kolkata: In the wake of a series of helicopter accidents in Uttarakhand, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has introduced stricter safety regulations for helicopter operations during the Char Dham Yatra. Under the new directive, every chartered helicopter operating on these routes must carry two pilots instead of one.
The decision comes after a tragic helicopter crash near Joshimath in Chamoli district on October 30, which claimed the lives of six people, including the pilot. The helicopter, operated by Trans Bharat Aviation, was reportedly returning from Badrinath to Dehradun when it crashed.
According to the new guidelines, effective November 2, both the pilot and co-pilot must be qualified to operate in mountainous terrain. Operators have also been instructed to obtain clearance from the control room and secure necessary permissions for the entire flight route before take-off.
Furthermore, pilots must submit a report after landing at the designated helipad as part of the enhanced monitoring and safety mechanism.
The DGCA has also warned that failure to comply with the prescribed safety requirements could lead to the suspension of helicopter services for the Char Dham pilgrimage.
However, helicopter operators have expressed concerns over the financial and operational implications of the new rules. They argue that deploying two pilots on every helicopter would significantly increase operational expenses, crew requirements and logistical costs.
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