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New Safety Measures for Helicopter Services in Uttarakhand

The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, has mandated the establishment of stringent standard operating procedures (SOPs) for helicopter operations in the state. This directive comes just hours after a helicopter crash occurred in Kedarnath on Sunday.

Taking the incident seriously, the Chief Minister instructed officials to formulate rigorous SOPs that will require a thorough examination of the helicopter's technical condition and accurate weather information prior to flights.

He has tasked Chief Secretary Anand Vardhan with forming a committee of technical experts to conduct a comprehensive review of all technical and safety aspects related to helicopter services before finalizing the SOPs.

Dhami emphasized that this committee will ensure that helicopter operations are conducted in a completely safe, transparent manner, adhering to established standards. He also mentioned that a high-level committee, previously set up to investigate past helicopter accidents in the state, will thoroughly examine every aspect of the recent crash and provide a detailed report.

The Chief Minister stated that this committee will delve deeply into the causes of each accident and recommend strict actions against any individuals or organizations found responsible. Highlighting the importance of helicopter services in pilgrimage, disaster management, and emergency responses, Dhami affirmed that safety will be the top priority.

A private company's helicopter, which was transporting pilgrims from Kedarnath to Guptkashi, crashed on Sunday morning, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals, including six pilgrims and the pilot.