15 June 2025: Hon’ble Chief Minister Orders Inquiry into Rudraprayag Helicopter Accident
June 15, 2025: Hon’ble Chief Minister Orders Probe into Rudraprayag Helicopter Accident
Strict Action Will Be Taken Against Those Found Negligent Helicopter Services to Remain Completely Suspended for Char Dham Till Monday “Command and Coordination Centre” to Be Established for Better Management of Heli Flights All helicopter services to the Char Dham Yatra will remain completely suspended till Monday following the Rudraprayag helicopter crash. The Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, during a meeting held at the CM residence on Sunday, ordered a high-level probe into the incident and stressed that strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty of negligence.
He directed that the experience of all helicopter operators and pilots flying in high Himalayan regions be examined thoroughly. Helicopter services will only resume after a comprehensive meeting with all heli operators.
To ensure safe and coordinated operations, a Common “Command and Coordination Centre” will be established in Dehradun. This center will include officers from DGCA, Disaster Management Department, Civil Aviation, UCADA, and heli operator companies.
Major Decisions Taken:
Formation of a committee headed by the Home Secretary of Uttarakhand.
Members to include representatives from DGCA, UCADA, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.
The committee will prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) prioritizing public safety and submit its report before September.
The CM instructed the preparation of strict administrative and technical SOPs for future heli operations in the state.
Only those pilots will be permitted to operate who have extensive experience flying in high Himalayan regions.
The DGCA guidelines should be further tightened and enforced with 100% compliance.
Installation of advanced weather forecasting equipment in Himalayan regions to ensure more accurate weather predictions.
Action on the Rudraprayag Crash:
A high-level investigation has been ordered into the helicopter crash in Rudraprayag.
Any individuals found guilty of negligence will be identified and punished.
The CM emphasized that public safety is the top priority of the state government, and no compromise will be allowed under any circumstances.
The CM also directed the Rudraprayag district administration to coordinate with families of the deceased, ensure proper arrangements to send the mortal remains to their respective states.
If needed, the process of DNA sampling should be expedited for identification of bodies.
Officials Present at the Meeting (Physically and Virtually):
Chief Secretary Shri Anand Bardhan
Civil Aviation Secretary Shri Sameer Kumar Sinha
DGCA Director General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai
Secretaries Shri Shailesh Bagoli and Shri Sachin Kurve
Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman
UCADA CEO Smt. Sonika
Director General Information Shri Bansidhar Tiwari
Officials from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and other departments
Immediate Action Taken:
As soon as the incident was reported, Additional Chief Executive Officer (Admin), USDMA, Shri Anand Swaroop and Additional CEO (Implementation), DIG Shri Rajkumar Negi reached the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) along with their teams. They coordinated with the district administration to track the rescue operation, remained in constant touch with the District Emergency Operations Centre, SDRF, NDRF, and other agencies, and supervised the rescue efforts by issuing necessary directives.
IG Garhwal Shri Rajeev Swaroop also reached the control room to monitor the situation.
Officials present at SEOC included Duty Officer and Joint Secretary Shri Santosh Badoni, Dr. Bimlesh Joshi, IEC Expert Shri Manish Bhagat, GIS Expert Shri Rohit Kumar, System Expert Shri Hemant Bisht, and others.
This reflects the government’s firm commitment to ensuring the safety of all pilgrims and citizens, and taking swift and effective action in times of crisis.