9 heli-charter firms allowed to operate at Kedarnath

Neena Sharma

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 8

The Director-General of Civil Aviation has given clearance to nine private helicopter operators to carry out flights for pilgrims to the Himalayan shrine of Kedarnath.

Officials from the Director-General of Civil aviation today inspected the nine helipads and also the air worthiness of the choppers for giving clearance. “Out of the 14 companies that had applied the officials had given clearance to five companies yesterday and four companies were given clearance today,” said R Rajesh Kumar, Additional Secretary, Civil Aviation.

Between Guptkashi and Sirsi in Rudraprayag district, around nine chopper companies have been given clearance. “Due to  inclement weather, the officials could not conduct the inspection of the remaining helipads and could not check the choppers’ abilities to undertake flights. The inspection would again take place tomorrow,” said R Rajesh Kumar.

Significantly, the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority had assured the DGCA during a meeting on May 4 that it would ensure that helicopters did not fly below 600 metres so that the noise of the choppers did not disturb animals in the Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary. These steps were taken to comply with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directives asking the government to frame norms for putting curb on the noise created by the choppers.

The companies that have been given approval included Trans Bharat Aviation, Pawan Hans, Himalayan Heritage Aviation and Global Vectra.

Further, the new BJP government had invited tenders for the heli shuttle service to Kedarnath, the second time after BJP chief Ajay Bhatt had said the tenders were allegedly awarded to companies handpicked by the previous Congress government. “In the past few years, particular companies were being awarded tenders. We wanted a transparent mechanism under which new companies too could apply,” said Ajay Bhatt.

These chopper flights are quite popular with pilgrims who are keen on a quick trip to the shrine and want to avoid the strenuous trek on foot. The chopper operators charge around Rs 6,500 from Sirsa and from Fata Rs 7,000 per head (to and fro). The private companies pay 10 per cent as royalty to the state aviation authority. 

Partial restriction on pilgrims 

The Uttarakhand Government has imposed partial restriction on pilgrims going to Kedarnath in view of their safety and convenience. Kedarnath-bound pilgrims will not be allowed to trek to the Himalayan shrine from Gaurikund after 1.30 pm. The order which comes into immediate effect has been issued keeping in mind the convenience and safety of pilgrims, Rudraprayag District Magistrate Ranjana said. The erstwhile 14-km trek route from Gaurikund to Kedarnath was washed away in the 2013 flash floods. It was later rebuilt and the distance between the two places has now increased to 20 km. The order is also being attributed to inadequate night stay facilities near the famed Kedarnath temple. — PTI