During the second phase of the Chardham Yatra, the Kedarnath helicopter service is being operated under the strict supervision of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority. Helicopter shuttles are not permitted in Kedarghati due to inclement weather.
Heli ticket bookings are full for the pilgrimage until October 9th. Seven helicopters from six helicopter companies are operating flights to Kedarnath from Guptkashi, Phata, and Sirsi. Following the helicopter accidents in Uttarkashi and Kedarnath in May and June during the first phase of the Chardham Yatra, the helicopter shuttle services are being closely monitored.
The ASI, DGCA, and UKADA are monitoring each flight. The Meteorological Department is providing weather information in Kedarghati. In the second phase, helicopter shuttles are scheduled on an hourly basis, and fares have been increased by more than 45 percent.
In the first phase, 56,044 pilgrims reached Kedarnath by helicopter: In the first phase of the Kedarnath Yatra, which began on May 2nd, 56,044 pilgrims reached Kedarnath Dham by helicopter. More than 13,000 tickets were cancelled due to bad weather and other reasons
