Dehradun: A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan was held on Monday with officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and the Uttarakhand Government to review the first phase of the Char Dham helicopter services and discuss aviation infrastructure expansion, flight safety, and future plans.
Officials informed the meeting that the first phase of the 2026 Char Dham Heli Services was successfully operated from April 19 to June 26. The second phase is scheduled to begin on September 15. The Chief Secretary directed all agencies to strengthen safety standards, complete infrastructure development, and ensure all preparations are finalized within the prescribed timeline.
Civil Aviation Secretary Sameer Sinha presented a roadmap for Uttarakhand’s aviation development, proposing the construction of new heliports in Almora, Pithoragarh, and Srinagar. He also emphasized the need to establish additional weather observation stations in mountainous areas to improve the accuracy of weather information and enhance helicopter flight safety.
The meeting also agreed to develop the necessary infrastructure for helicopter operations in Lansdowne, Ramnagar, and Nainital under the revised UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, along with conducting feasibility studies for three new airstrips.
Chief Secretary Bardhan instructed all departments and agencies to complete every safety-related and infrastructure project before the next phase of the Char Dham heli services. He also stressed maintaining close coordination between the Central and State Governments.
The meeting was attended by Civil Aviation Secretary Sameer Sinha, Airports Authority of India Chairman Vipin Kumar, Tourism Secretary Dheeraj Singh Garbyal, Principal Secretary Sudhanshu, senior officials from the Central and State Governments, and Prateek Jain, Chief Executive Officer of UCADA, who presented the progress of various aviation development projects.
