Editorial: Char Dham Yatra exposes air safety loopholes

The recent helicopter crash near Joshimath in Uttarakhand, which killed six people, is yet another grim reminder of poor safety standards in India. The ecologically fragile region has seen a mushrooming of private helicopter services over the last few decades. As the Char Dham pilgrimage has become highly commercialised, concerns have grown over the blatant disregard for safety protocols, causing ecological damage to the Himalayan region. While India’s commercial airline sector has generally maintained a strong international safety record, the helicopter sector, particularly pilgrimage-related operations in Uttarakhand, has come under increasing scrutiny. The Char Dham routes and terrain are extremely tricky. According to data from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, of the 12 helicopter crashes reported across the country between 2020 and 2025, seven occurred in Uttarakhand, home to several holy sites, claiming 21 lives. Importantly, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, in its report last year, highlighted the absence of terrain-specific mountain-flying training and certification facilities for helicopter pilots. Such facilities should have been a basic requirement for flying in the Himalayan region, where weather, wind and visibility are highly unpredictable. There is also a need for stronger safety oversight for chopper operations in a region where these services have become highly commercialised, often with scant regard for passenger safety. Rotary-wing aviation poses a unique set of difficulties, largely owing to the environment in which these flights operate. Many helicopters used for pilgrimage operations are single-engine aircraft without onboard weather radars.

The Char Dham Yatra has led to a sharp increase in helicopter traffic. Experts note that the concentration of flights, coupled with difficult terrain and unpredictable Himalayan weather, creates exceptional operational risks. Growing pressure on pilots from helicopter operators, VIPs and pilgrims alike, combined with violations of Standard Operating Protocols, has made helicopter services dangerous. Though only about 2,000 pilgrims can be flown in a day, and that too only when the weather is clear, demand often exceeds 10,000 owing to VIP requests and public pressure. In 2025 alone, four helicopter accidents were reported during the Char Dham Yatra season. Strict enforcement of SOPs can significantly reduce the risk of accidents, but it would also substantially reduce the number of flights, something that goes against commercial interests and public demand. There are also growing concerns about the likely impact of pilgrimage on the ecology of the region. Experts have also pointed out the possibility of earthquakes in the Himalayan region. The massive influx of pilgrims has placed enormous pressure on Kedarnath’s fragile Himalayan ecosystem and its carrying capacity. Managing such large numbers has become increasingly difficult, especially since the subject is deeply emotional and religious, making regulatory enforcement sensitive. Installing autopilots, weather radars, enhanced vision systems, mandatory mountain-flying certification, regular operator audits, continuous monitoring and rigorous safety management systems are among the measures needed to improve safety standards.