By Aadyasha News 
Dehradun: The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) has suspended the Char Dham Yatra helicopter services in Uttarakhand with immediate effect. According to reports, the helicopter services will be available only for the evacuation of pilgrims from the Char Dham Yatra sites.
The suspension comes two days after six people, including five women, died in a helicopter crash near the Bhagirathi river in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district. One person was seriously injured in the accident.
Citing rising national security concerns and security risks to pilgrims amid the Indo-Pakistan tension, the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority on Saturday suspended all helicopter services for the Char Dham Yatra with immediate effect.
With this, pilgrims to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri can travel again after further instructions.
In an official statement, the UCADA clarified that helicopter services for the Char Dham Yatra have been suspended with immediate effect. The services will now be limited to evacuation purposes only. They will be used to airlift stranded or distressed pilgrims from the temple sites.
The restrictions will remain in force till further notice and are said to be part of a wider security protocol activated in the northern states in response to the escalation of cross-border hostilities.
The move comes after security alerts were issued in north India, including airspace restrictions, drone intrusions and missile threats, due to the ongoing military situation between India and Pakistan. Major pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand, especially Kedarnath and Badrinath, are located in sensitive high-altitude areas.
Earlier this week, the Ministry of Civil Aviation had issued an advisory to aviation authorities in all states to increase surveillance and ensure strict flight safety.
UCADA officials stressed that the safety of pilgrims is the top priority. Local administration and disaster response teams have been deployed at the four religious sites, and ground transportation arrangements are being made to help pilgrims disembark safely.
We appeal to all pilgrims to remain calm and cooperate with local authorities. People at high-altitude religious sites have been advised to stay at designated shelters until further evacuation arrangements are made, a senior UCADA official said.
The suspension of air services during the Char Dham Yatra, which attracts lakhs of devotees every year, is likely to cause delays and logistical problems. Pilgrims with already booked helicopter tickets have been asked to contact their operators for refunds or rescheduled options.