By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 24 Jul: Sources claim that M/s Heritage Aviation, a prominent helicopter service provider for the Char Dham Yatra, is now facing a strong possibility of stern action after allegedly operating a chartered flight to Kedarnath Dham without mandatory clearance and flouting aviation safety protocols amid inclement weather.
The helicopter, carrying Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) Chairman Hemant Dwivedi and other VVIPs flew from Sahastradhara helipad in Dehradun on 14 July, coinciding with the first Monday of the holy Sawan month, traditionally considered to be a highly auspicious day for the devotees of Shiva. Sources remind that the weather was so bad on the day that the chopper could not return on the same day and had to wait for the next day.
Once the news of this chartered chopper flight went viral, the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) was forced to swing into action. It has issued a show cause notice to M/s Heritage Aviation, and the officials confirm that the process of blacklisting the company is underway. Sanjay Tolia, Additional Chief Executive Officer of UCADA, confirmed that the company has been served notice for conducting an unauthorised flight under adverse weather conditions. Tolia added that Heritage Aviation is at risk of being placed on the blacklist, which may bar it from future participation in Char Dham helicopter services. However, in view of the influence that the company holds in the aviation sector, it is yet to be seen if the company is blacklisted for all future operations in the state or just for the remaining season.
In addition, there is some ambiguity regarding the circumstances under which the flight in question was operated. While the official stance indicates UCADA’s operations wing had not permitted the flight due to bad weather, some sources claim that conditional clearance may have been given. This contradiction has deepened the controversy and raised eyebrows about transparency in the handling of VVIP aviation operations during the pilgrimage season.
In its written response, Heritage Aviation has reportedly admitted to operating the flight without UCADA’s explicit permission, further strengthening the case against it. Departmental sources claim no clearance, conditional or otherwise, was granted by UCADA, and if the company fails to adequately respond to the blacklisting notice, action will be taken under the guidelines of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Strangely, the authorities and others concerned also have chosen not to reveal the identity of the VVIPs other than Dwivedi who were in the chopper. Some claim that some controversial industrialists with international connections were present in the chopper. However, the officials have not confirmed any names. The silence from the BKTC over the issue has further fuelled speculation.
It may be recalled that this particular incident has come in the wake of a spate of weather-related helicopter mishaps in the Kedarnath valley. Notably, multiple chopper accidents in recent years have been attributed to low visibility and unpredictable meteorological conditions.
It may be reminded here that on 15 June, a Bell 407 helicopter operated by Aryan Aviation crashed near Gaurikund while flying from Kedarnath to Guptkashi amid poor visibility, killing all seven people on board including pilgrims and the pilot. It was the fifth such incident on the Char Dham route since the pilgrimage began in late April this year. Amid heavy criticism, the Uttarakhand government had to suspend all helicopter services for two days and DGCA ordered a thorough investigation. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had convened an emergency meeting and directed the creation of stricter standard operating procedures, insisting that only pilots experienced in mountainous terrain be authorised to operate flights.
Earlier, on 8 May, a helicopter en route to Gangotri crashed near Gangnani in Uttarkashi district, resulting in six deaths and one serious injury following rotor collision with an overhead fibre cable during an emergency landing attempt. On 17 May, a Sanjeevani air ambulance from AIIMS‑Rishikesh crash-landed near the Kedarnath helipad due to tail damage during a technical malfunction. On 12 May, a helicopter travelling from Badrinath to Sirsi with pilgrims on board was forced to make an emergency landing in a school playground in Ukhimath because of poor visibility; all passengers were safe, and the aircraft resumed flight after an hour. On 7 June, a helicopter bound for Kedarnath made an emergency landing on a highway after take-off from Sirsi due to a technical fault; the tail rotor struck a parked car, but no passengers were injured.
These accidents this season raise urgent questions whether the existing aviation safety protocols are sufficient or are they really being enforced properly? Does facing VIP pressure undermine standard procedure adherence?
With Heritage Aviation already suspended, pending inquiry, all eyes are now on UCADA and DGCA for their next move whether the company is really blacklisted or just warned and let off after blacklisting it for the remaining season. As the number of pilgrims visiting Kedarnath continues to grow each season, the need for stricter adherence to aviation norms has never been more urgent.
