HomePolitics“No Compromise on Safety”: Aviation Minister Outlines Helicopter Plan for Hilly States

“No Compromise on Safety”: Aviation Minister Outlines Helicopter Plan for Hilly States

Dehradun: Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Thursday outlined the government’s strategy to enhance helicopter operations in hilly regions, especially in states like Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Arunachal Pradesh, with a strong emphasis on safety and infrastructure improvement.

Speaking on the sidelines of a review meeting in Dehradun, the minister reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to ensuring safer and more efficient aerial connectivity, particularly for critical routes such as those serving the Char Dham Yatra.

“We already have a plan for the expansion of heliports in hilly states under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS). Work is underway at several airports, from Jammu & Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh. In addition, 18 heliports are part of this broader expansion, catering specifically to mountainous terrain,” said Kinjarapu.

Highlighting the unique operational challenges in these regions, the minister noted that difficult weather conditions and rugged geographical terrain continue to pose risks to helicopter flights. “We are currently studying international best practices to upgrade our operational safety standards,” he added.

One of the key recommendations under consideration is the installation of more Air Traffic Control (ATC) systems, a task that Kinjarapu acknowledged is complex due to the topography. “Despite the difficulty, we are working to increase the reach and impact of ATC coverage, especially within the Char Dham network,” he said.

On future upgrades, Kinjarapu confirmed that detailed discussions are ongoing between the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority and the Ministry of Civil Aviation to streamline pilot arrangements and manage helicopter frequency more effectively.

“By the time the Char Dham Yatra resumes in September, we expect to have implemented improved measures for accuracy and safety in operations. Our topmost priority is the safety of devotees. We have a zero-compromise policy on this front,” he assured.

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