Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol’s response to Anurag Thakur’s unstarred question in the Lok Sabha: Central Government implements stringent safety measures and advanced technologies for helicopter operations in the Himalayan region
Mandatory satellite-based heli-tracking, Automated Weather Observing Systems (AWOS), and Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) introduced to minimize accident risks during pilgrimage operations: MoS Civil Aviation*
Enhanced regulatory oversight and seamless coordination with state authorities and Defence forces to ensure robust Search and Rescue capabilities in critical zones: Anurag Thakur
07 August 2026, New Delhi:
In response to a crucial question raised in the Lok Sabha by Hamirpur MP and former Union Minister Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has detailed the comprehensive safety frameworks and technological upgrades mandated for helicopter operations in the difficult terrains of the Himalayan states. Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Shri Murlidhar Mohol, stated that to ensure the highest levels of safety, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Pilgrimage Operations under Operations Circular (OC) 02 of 2023.
Acknowledging the occurrence of 6 helicopter accidents in Uttarakhand between 2023 and 2025, Ministry of civil aviation emphasized the necessity of proactive regulatory oversight. The Ministry infoscrutinized operational compliance and identified key areas for improvement, such as strict adherence to Flight Duty Time Limitations, standardizedans Ltd., Himalayan Heli Services Ltd., Global Vectra Helicorp Ltd., and Transbharat Aviation Pvt. Ltd., among others. These audits scrutinized operational compliance and identified key areas for improvement, such as strict adherence to Flight Duty Time Limitations, standardized maintenance procedures, and proper slot allotment timings, ensuring that operators remain fully accountable to safety standards.
Ministry informed Government is taking steps to introduce advanced safety technologies tailored to the unique challenges of the Himalayas. The DGCA has actively mandated the use of Automated Weather Observing Systems (AWOS), satellite-based heli-tracking with real-time updates, weather cameras with live feeds, and AAI-promulgated Kopter routes that require GPS navigation. Furthermore, operational controls have been significantly tightened by restricting aircraft weight at high-altitude helipads, limiting hourly shuttle flights, and capping daily charter operations to prevent fatigue and overcrowding at shrine helipads.
Highlighting the critical aspect of emergency response, it was noted that heli-trackers have been made mandatory for all flights undertaking Char Dham operations. This crucial tracking data is continuously monitored in real-time at the ICCC in Sahastradhara, ensuring that in the event of any mishap, the exact location of the helicopter is immediately available to the control center. Seamless integration of technology, coupled with the readiness of state authorities utilizing Defence helicopters and the State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) for Search and Rescue, will drastically minimize risks and ensure a safe and secure experience for pilgrims and tourists traversing the Himalayan region.
