Kedarnath Helicopter Crash: CM Dhami Expresses Grief, Seeks Accountability After 4th Tragedy

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep grief over the tragic helicopter crash near Kedarnath in Rudraprayag district. In a post on social media platform X, he wrote, "Received extremely painful news about the helicopter crash in Rudraprayag. SDRF, local administration, and other rescue teams are engaged in relief and rescue work. I pray to Baba Kedar for the safety of all the pilgrims."The Aryan Aviation helicopter crashed due to bad weather while returning from Kedarnath. All seven people onboard, including the pilot and two children, have reportedly died. This included members of the Jaiswal family from Maharashtra, a BTC employee Vikram Singh Rawat, and two local residents. The crash occurred early morning around 5:00 AM in the forest area between Gaurikund and Sonprayag.Shockingly, this marks the fourth helicopter accident within the last 1.5 months, bringing the death toll to 13 during the current Char Dham Yatra season. CM Dhami had held a review meeting just days before this tragedy, instructing officials and aviation companies to strictly follow safety protocols. Despite these steps, questions persist on why such incidents continue to happen.Concerns have also been raised about aviation companies operating single-engine helicopters in mountainous terrain like Kedarnath, where weather is notoriously unpredictable and radar systems are reportedly absent. It’s also reported that helicopters often exceed passenger capacity norms.On June 7, another incident had gone viral showing a helicopter making an emergency landing on a road, crashing into a car. Although no serious injuries were reported then, it had already raised alarms.Now, voices are growing stronger demanding stringent audits, stricter enforcement of norms, accountability from aviation operators, and better weather infrastructure. Despite CM Dhami’s proactive approach, a lack of response from other senior officials has been criticized as public trust in aviation safety during religious pilgrimages erodes.