CM Dhami has made it clear in strong words to all the heli service providers and operators serving in Uttarakhand that there should be no compromise with the safety standards of heli services. Chief Minister Dhami clearly said that safety standards should be given top priority without being complacent with the maximum figures of passengers taking heli services. Along with this, the Chief Minister has also given instructions for audit and continuous review of heli accidents that have happened in the past years so that they do not recur. He said that as the nodal of the state, the safety of the passengers is our biggest responsibility. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has given strict instructions to strictly follow the regular fitness check of the helicopter, make a solid and effective SOP for helicopter ticket booking and strictly follow the safety standards of the engine of the helicopter running in the high Himalayan regions. Instructions to install weather camera in Chardham Valley
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was reviewing the heli service services of the state with all the helicopter service providers and operators, UCADA, AAIB and DGCA providing their services in Uttarakhand at the Chief Minister’s residence. In view of the obstacles in heli services due to weather, accurate weather information and safety, Chief Minister Dhami has instructed to install weather cameras in Kedar Valley as well as all other Chardham Valleys. He has also instructed UCADA to prepare a concrete policy to operate only double engine helicopters in future.
Instructions to keep only experienced pilots in services
The Chief Minister has also instructed UCADA and related stakeholders to study the heli service model being operated in Vaishno Devi. He has instructed to keep only highly experienced pilots in heli services in the state. Along with this, Chief Minister Dhami has also strictly instructed the heli operators to maintain sensitive behavior with the passengers so that the tourists coming from all over the world take a pleasant experience from Devbhoomi. He has also instructed the heli operators and the administration to run a cleanliness campaign on the Chardham routes. The Chief Minister said that in view of the increasing demand for heli services in the future, many helipads are under construction in the state. So far this year, more than 66000 passengers have availed the facility of heli shuttle services.
Heli services will be the basis of the state in future
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has also directed UCADA to prepare an action plan for heli services for the next 10 years for the state. He said that due to being a tourism and Chardham state, the demand for heli services is going to increase more and more in the state. Due to the adverse geographical conditions, heli services will be the basis of the state in future.
Principal Secretary R K Sudhanshu, R Meenakshi Sundaram, Secretary Sachin Kurve, Additional Secretary Sonika and all heli and chartered service operators serving in the state were present in the meeting.