Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], June 11 : Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has made it clear in strong words to all the helicopter service providers and operators serving in the state here that there should be no compromise with the safety standards of helicopter services, said an official statement.
CM said that safety standards should be given top priority without getting complacent with the maximum number of passengers taking heli services.
Along with this, the Chief Minister has also given instructions for audit and continuous review of heli accidents that have happened in the past years so that they do not recur. He said that as the nodal of the state, the safety of the passengers is our biggest responsibility.
CM Dhami has given strict instructions to strictly follow the regular fitness check of the helicopter, make a solid and effective SOP for helicopter ticket booking and strictly follow the safety standards of the engine of the helicopter running in the high Himalayan regions.
CM Dhami was reviewing the heli services of the state with all the helicopter service providers and operators, UCADA, AAIB and DGCA providing their services in Uttarakhand at the Chief Minister's residence.
In view of the obstacles in heli services due to weather, accurate weather information and safety, Chief Minister Dhami has directed to installation of weather cameras in Kedar Valley as well as all other Chardham Valleys. He has also directed UCADA to prepare a concrete policy to operate only double-engine helicopters in future.
The Chief Minister has also directed UCADA and related stakeholders to study the heli service model being operated in Vaishno Devi. He has instructed to keep only highly experienced pilots in heli services in the state.
Along with this, Chief Minister Dhami has also given strict advice to the heli operators to maintain sensitive behaviour with the passengers so that the tourists coming from all over the world have a pleasant experience in Devbhoomi. He has also directed the heli operators and the administration to run a cleanliness campaign on the Chardham routes.
The Chief Minister said that in view of the increasing demand for heli services in future, many helipads are under construction in the state. So far this year, more than 66,000 passengers have availed the facility of heli shuttle services.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has also directed UCADA to prepare an action plan for heli services for the state for the next 10 years in today's meeting. He said that being a tourism and Chardham state, the demand for heli services is going to increase more and more in the state. Due to the adverse geographical conditions, heli services will be the basis of the state in future.