21 lives lost in Uttarakhand chopper crashes in 5 years

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has confirmed that Uttarakhand has witnessed the highest number of helicopter accidents in the last five years, claiming 21 lives in a worrying series of fatal crashes.

In a written reply to a parliamentary question in the Rajya Sabha raised by Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge, the government laid bare a grim picture of the state's fragile chopper safety record, even as pilgrimages like the Char Dham Yatra see a surge in commercial rotorcraft operations.

According to data tabled by Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, a total of 12 helicopter crashes occurred across India since 2020, with Uttarakhand alone accounting for seven of those, more than half the national tally. 

These accidents resulted in 21 deaths in Uttarakhand, followed by Maharashtra with four crashes and seven deaths, and one fatal crash in Chhattisgarh that killed two.

The alarming spike in Uttarakhand has prompted the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to intensify its scrutiny of operations, especially those linked to religious tourism. 

“We have issued fresh directives focused on tightening access control, regulating helipad slots, and ramping up pilot training standards,” the ministry said in the reply, acknowledging public concerns over recurring tragedies in the mountainous terrain.

Sources in the aviation regulator confirmed that the DGCA has deployed additional teams for on-ground surveillance and targeted safety audits, particularly in connection with the Char Dham yatra, which sees thousands of pilgrims relying on helicopter services due to treacherous routes and limited road access.