Uttarakhand Suspends Char Dham Yatra Chopper Services Briefly
Char Dham Yatra helicopter services in Uttarakhand were temporarily suspended, allowing only evacuation. However, the services have now resumed and are operating smoothly.
The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) had briefly suspended Chaar Dham Yatra helicopter services on Saturday in Uttarakhand. The helicopter Service was only available to evacuate pilgrims from Char Dham Yatra locations, reported news agency ANI.
Helicopter Crash Claimed Six Lives During Char Dham Yatra
This suspension came after six Char Dham pilgrims died in a helicopter crash. On May 8, 2025, a tragic helicopter crash occurred near the Bhagirathi River in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, while it was heading towards the Gangotri temple. The accident claimed the lives of six people, including five women and the 60-year old pilot, Captain Robin Singh.
Following the tragic crash, the helicopter plunged into a gorge that was estimated to be about 200-250 meters deep. Rescue efforts were soon launched by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Unfortunately, five passengers were found dead at the scene, while the pilot passed away during his medical treatment.
Victims Identified, One Survivor Critical
The victims included Vijayalakshmi Reddy C (57), Ruchi Agarwal (56), and Kala Chandrakant Soni (61) from Maharashtra; Radha Agarwal (79) from Uttar Pradesh; and Vedanti (48) from Andhra Pradesh. Another passenger, Maktur Bhaskar (51) from Andhra Pradesh, sustained critical injuries and remains in serious condition.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and ordered an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
Weather Conditions Affected The Helicopter Services
After the brief suspension, the Uttarakhand government confirmed ANI that helicopter services to the Char Dham Yatra have now resumed and are functioning smoothly. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami clarified that the halt in services was a measure that was taken due to the unfavourable weather conditions in Uttarakhand.
Char Dham Yatra
The Char Dham Yatra is an important Hindu pilgrimage that takes devotees to four sacred dhams in Uttarakhand namely, Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The journey usually starts from Yamunotri, followed by Gangotri, then Kedarnath, and concluding at Badrinath. The yatra usually takes place from May to October, with the temples opening in May and closing around November. It lasts for about six months and pilgrims can travel by road, on foot, or with the convenience of helicopter services.
The Char Dham Yatra has a deep spiritual significance for Hindus, with each temple being dedicated to a different deity.
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