Chopper crash: Heli services suspended till Mon, Dhami orders probe
Dehradun/New Delhi: In the wake of the Kedarnath helicopter crash that claimed seven lives, the Uttarakhand govt suspended all Aryan Aviation operations for the Char Dham Yatra with immediate effect.
As a precaution, Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) halted all chartered and shuttle flights in the region on June 15 and 16. Chief minister
Pushkar Singh Dhami
ordered a high-level probe into the incident and directed strict action in case of negligence.
The decision was taken at a meeting convened by Dhami with senior govt officials, civil aviation secretary, DGCA representatives and other stakeholders at his residence on Sunday.
At the meeting, it was decided that two TransBharat Aviation helicopters—VT-TBC (Capt Yogesh Grewal, CPL(H)-1453) and VT-TBF (Capt Jitender Harjai, CPL(H)-1046)—had flown in similar unfavourable conditions, prompting six-month licence suspensions for both pilots.
Dhami said, "Protecting the lives of people is our top priority. Any lapse that risks lives will not be tolerated. Strict punitive action will be taken against those responsible."
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice
Grammarly
Install Now
Undo
To enhance oversight and safety, a Common Command and Coordination Centre will be set up in Dehradun. The CM said only pilots with extensive experience in flying in high Himalayan terrain will be allowed to operate in the Char Dham sector. The centre will include officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the disaster management department, civil aviation, UCADA and representatives of heli-operator companies.
Dhami also instructed the formation of a technical committee under the home secretary to draft a new standard operating procedure (SOP) prioritising public safety. The SOP will mandate pre-flight technical checks, accurate weather assessments, installation of live weather cameras at helipads, and the deployment of experienced pilots.
Only twin-engine helicopters will be allowed for commercial operations.
The committee, comprising officials from DGCA, UCADA, the ministry of civil aviation and Air Traffic Control (ATC), is expected to submit its report by Sept.
The CM also called for stricter enforcement of DGCA guidelines and ordered the installation of advanced weather forecasting systems in the Himalayan region to improve flight safety. "The helicopter services must be completely safe, transparent and in accordance with prescribed standards.
Passenger safety cannot be compromised, especially in the sensitive and high-altitude Char Dham region," Dhami said.
The Rudraprayag district administration has been tasked with facilitating the safe return of the victims' mortal remains to their respective states.
Senior officials, including chief secretary Anand Bardhan, DGCA director general Faiz Ahmad Kidwai, civil aviation secretary Sameer Kumar Sinha and disaster management authorities, attended the meeting virtually.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
15 minutes ago
- Time of India
How to Get Shiny Phantump and Shiny Trevenant in Pokemon GO
Shiny Phantump (Image via The Pokemon Company). The Shiny Phantump family—consisting of Shiny Phantump and its evolution, Shiny Trevenant—is a sought-after addition for many Pokemon GO trainers. With the June 2025 Phantom Ruins event boosting their availability, now is the perfect time to hunt for these rare variants. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to maximize your chances and complete your Shiny Phantump collection. How to get Shiny Phantump in Pokemon GO There are a few ways to get your hands on Shiny Phantump in Pokemon GO: Event Opportunities and Spawn Rates The Phantom Ruins event, running from June 14 to June 18, 2025, globally increases the spawn rates of Phantump and boosts its Shiny odds, making it the best window for Shiny hunting. During this period, Phantump appears more frequently in the wild, especially alongside other featured Pokemon. Additionally, Incense and Lure Modules are more effective, further increasing your encounter rates. Maximizing Wild Encounters Over 300 Shiny Phantump Research completed & THIS is what we got! (Pokémon GO Halloween Event) To increase your chances of finding a Shiny Phantump, focus on areas with high spawn density, such as parks or popular PokéStop clusters. Use Incense and Lure Modules to attract more Phantump, and pay attention to in-game weather—Phantump receives a spawn boost during foggy and sunny conditions. Walking around while these effects are active will maximize your encounters. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Residents In Louisiana With Credit Card Debt Could Be In For A Big Surprise Weekly Financial Solutions Undo Field and Timed Research Tasks Special event Field Research and premium Timed Research tasks during Phantom Ruins offer guaranteed Phantump encounters as rewards, each with a chance to be shiny. Completing tasks like catching or transferring Pokemon, or spinning PokéStops, can yield multiple Phantump encounters. Research rewards also have higher minimum IVs, increasing your odds of finding a high-quality shiny. Spotlight Hours and Other Bonuses Spotlight Hours and event bonuses, such as double Catch XP and increased Incense spawns, further enhance your shiny hunting efficiency. During these focused windows, Phantump spawns are especially dense, making it possible to encounter dozens—or even hundreds—within an hour. How to get Shiny Trevenant in Pokemon GO Once you have a Shiny Phantump, evolving it into a Shiny Trevenant requires 200 Phantump Candy. Accumulate candy by catching and transferring Phantump, using Pinap Berries, walking with Phantump as your buddy, or trading with friends. Tips to successfully get Shiny Phantump - Stack Incense and Lure Modules during event windows. - Target weather-boosted areas for increased spawns. - Complete as many relevant research tasks as possible. - Take advantage of Spotlight Hours and event bonuses. - Don't forget to check every Phantump encounter—shinies are random and not guaranteed. Also read: How to Get Shiny Gothita, Shiny Gothorita, and Shiny Gothitelle in Pokemon GO With persistence and strategic play during the Phantom Ruins event, you'll significantly improve your odds of adding both Shiny Phantump and Shiny Trevenant to your collection. Good luck, and happy hunting!
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Oberoi Group launches 'Elements' Plan to go greener by 2030
The Oberoi Group said on Monday that Elements by Oberoi , the Group's environmental and social responsibility framework, which reflects a philosophy that has 'quietly' shaped its ethos for decades, now takes 'centre stage' as the company scales 'new heights.' Oberoi Hotels & Resorts said by 2030, it aims to recycle 100% of waste water and reduce fresh water consumption per occupied room by 20%, source 50% of electricity from renewable energy , transition transport fleets to fully electric vehicles and phase out fossil fuel-based thermal systems in favour of electric alternatives across all new hotels. The chain said guided by life-sustaining elements, earth, water, and air, this framework articulates the group's environment-first actions and sets forth ambitious goals to further reduce ecological impact, drive operational innovation, and uplift communities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Explore the 18 Most Stunning Hotel Pools Only the Rich and Famous Get to Swim In! Click Here Undo 'We have always believed that excellence must be enduring. As we grow and expand our footprint, sustainability is not just a value—it is a way of life that shapes how we build, serve, and lead. With Elements by Oberoi, we reaffirm our commitment to responsible growth, where every decision is made with care for our planet and our communities," said Arjun Oberoi, executive chairman of The Oberoi Group. Vikram Oberoi, chief executive officer of The Oberoi Group, further added that with Elements by Oberoi, sustainability is 'seamlessly' embedded into the guest journey and in how the chain engages with people, the communities around it and its precious environment. "Our commitment is to creating experiences that are both meaningful and mindful," he added. Live Events The chain said from advanced rainwater harvesting and zero liquid discharge systems to sustainable laundry operations, it embeds circular practices into its water management. It further added that it is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and embracing clean energy, smart systems, and air purification across its hotels. "From solar- and wind-powered operations to electric vehicle charging infrastructure and automated energy systems, our efforts ensure a healthier and more sustainable future for our guests and the planet," the group said in a statement.
Time of India
44 minutes ago
- Time of India
Three mid-air scares; two U-turns, one emergency landing: Flyers on the edge in the last 24 hours
Representative image NEW DELHI: Within a span of 24 hours, three separate in-flight emergencies were reported involving aircraft from the United Kingdom, Germany, and India. These incidents have left the flyers feeling on the edge especially after tragic crash of Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, that killed 279 people including 241 passengers. The incidents included a British fighter jet making an emergency landing in Kerala on Sunday due to alleged low fuel, a bomb threat forcing a Lufthansa flight bound for Hyderabad to turn back to Frankfurt, and an Air India flight from Hong Kong to Delhi returning mid-air following a suspected technical snag. While none of the incidents resulted in casualties, the rapid succession of mid-air scares has raised fresh concerns over aviation safety and operational preparedness, especially in an era of increasing air traffic and heightened geopolitical tensions. Delhi-bound Air India flight returns to Hong Kong due to technical snag A Delhi-bound Air India flight from Hong Kong experienced a mid-air scare when pilots detected a suspected technical malfunction. As a precaution, the Boeing 787 aircraft, carrying more than 200 passengers, returned to Hong Kong shortly after takeoff. "AI315 operating from Hong Kong to Delhi on 16 June 2025 returned to Hong Kong shortly after takeoff due to a technical issue. The flight landed safely at Hong Kong and is undergoing checks as a matter of abundant precaution. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 오스템 임플란트 받아가세요 임플란터 더 알아보기 Undo Alternative arrangements have been planned to fly the passengers to their destination Delhi at the earliest," Air India said in a statement. "We are providing all necessary on-ground assistance to the passengers to minimise the inconvenience caused by this unforeseen disruption," it said. Lufthansa flight takes U-turn to Germany due to 'bomb threat' In another alarming episode, a Lufthansa flight en route to Hyderabad from Frankfurt was forced to turn back mid-air after a bomb threat was received. "The flight returned to its origin because of a bomb threat which was received while the aircraft was still outside the Indian airspace," an official told news agency ANI. Lufthansa flight LH752 took off from Frankfurt at approximately 2.14pm local time (5.44pm IST) on Sunday and was expected to arrive in Hyderabad early Monday. However, flight tracking data indicated a diversion several hours into the trip. Authorities confirmed that all passengers were safely disembarked and screened. Investigations are underway to identify the source of the threat, which caused hours of disruption. British fighter jet makes emergency landing in Kerala due to 'low fuel' A British F-35 fighter made an emergency landing in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday citing 'low fuel'. The Air Traffic Control (ATC) was alerted around 9:20pm, prompting the airport to initiate emergency measures. The aircraft landed safely at approximately 9.28pm and remained stationed at the Kerala airport, where it had since been refuelled.
