Monday, 18 April 2022 | PNS | Dehradun
The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) has categorically held that helicopter services being provided at Kedarnath in Uttarakhand are being done in an organised manner and as per the protocols of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the UCADA stated that operations at Kedarnath are being conducted while taking all safety and precautionary measures.
“Kedarnath operations are done in a very organised manner. Not more than six helicopters are permitted to fly at one time in the Kedar valley by DGCA and strict rostering is done for the same. As a fool proof safety measure, all operators have their staff in both the helipads, who are in communication with each other through radio and are also in communication with the helicopter. Any weather update is passed to the respective helipad and to the helicopter by the staff on a constant basis. Also, wind indicators by means of wind socks are positioned at the helipads to enhance safety mechanism. The helicopters are also in communication with each other for regular updates,” said UCADA chief executive officer Sonika.
These are time-tested operations and DGCA carries out regular safety audit of these operations, she added.
It is pertinent to mention here that the helicopter service to Kedarnath shrine in Rudraprayag district has grown in popularity since its introduction. A number of pilgrims, particularly the aged visitors, prefer to fly by chopper to Kedarnath instead of taking the arduous trek to the shrine.
