Govt to set up Command and Coordination Centre for helicopter operations
PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Considering the recent multiple chopper accidents in Uttarakhand, including the incident on Sunday that resulted in the deaths of seven people, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the establishment of a Command and Coordination Centre in Dehradun for the coordination of helicopter operations. He also ordered an inquiry into the Rudraprayag chopper crash and said that action will be taken against those found negligent. The CM held a high level meeting on Sunday with chief secretary Anand Bardhan and representatives from departments and agencies concerned including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) and Disaster Management department among others.
Dhami directed the suspension of all Char Dham helicopter services until Monday. He said that all helicopter operators and pilots engaged in high-altitude operations will undergo a review of their experience before services are allowed to resume. A meeting will be held with the companies to determine when operations can restart. He also informed that the Command and Coordination Centre will include officials from DGCA, Disaster Management department, Civil Aviation department, UCADA and the companies that provide helicopter services.
The CM ordered the formation of a committee under the chairmanship of the Home Secretary of Uttarakhand. The DGCA, UCADA, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Air Traffic Control (ATC) will serve as members of the committee. The committee is expected to submit its report by September after which standard operating procedures for administrative and technical aspects of operations will be implemented. Dhami said that only pilots with extensive experience in high altitude operations will be authorised to fly. He called for strengthening DGCA guidelines and ensuring their complete implementation. Dhami also directed the installation of additional advanced equipment to aid in accurate weather forecasting in high altitude areas. He further asked the Rudraprayag district administration to make appropriate arrangements to transfer the bodies of the deceased to their respective states.
The Civil Aviation secretary Sameer Kumar Sinha, DGCA director General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, secretary Shailesh Bagauli, secretary Sachin Kurve, Disaster Management secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, UCADA chief executive officer Sonika, director general Information Banshidhar Tiwari, officials from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and other stakeholders were also present during the meeting through a virtual medium.
