New Delhi: In the aftermath of a tragic helicopter crash near Gaurikund in Uttarakhand, the Congress party on Sunday called for accountability and urged both the Central and state governments to launch a thorough investigation into such recurring incidents. The crash, which occurred early in the morning amid poor visibility, claimed the lives of all seven people on board, including an infant and the pilot.
According to officials, the helicopter had taken off from Guptkashi at 5:10 a.m. and landed at the Kedarnath helipad at 5:18 a.m. It departed again at 5:19 a.m. en route to Guptkashi, but crashed shortly after in the forested area near Gaurikund, Rudraprayag district. District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar said the likely cause of the accident was zero visibility due to bad weather.
The Civil Aviation Ministry has confirmed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will conduct a formal inquiry into the incident. In a precautionary move, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has reduced the frequency of helicopter services to the Char Dham shrines — Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri — and is carrying out enhanced surveillance of operations.
Expressing grief, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “The news of the helicopter crash in Rudraprayag is extremely painful. Seven passengers, including the pilot, have died. Our deepest condolences to the families. May God give them strength in this hour of grief.” In a message posted on social media platform X, he noted this was the fifth helicopter accident in the past six weeks and stressed the need to fix accountability. “We urge both the Central and state governments to investigate these accidents and ensure proper safety measures,” Kharge said.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also expressed sorrow over the tragedy and appealed for a comprehensive review of safety protocols. “The death of seven people in the Gaurikund helicopter crash is deeply saddening. May Lord Kedarnath grant peace to the departed souls. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” she wrote on X. “This is the fifth helicopter accident since the Char Dham Yatra began. The state government must thoroughly review safety standards and prioritise the safety of pilgrims,” she added.
The fatal crash has heightened concerns over the safety of air travel during the annual pilgrimage season in Uttarakhand, prompting calls for immediate and effective regulatory action.
With PTI inputs