Acting on the directive of Secretary of Tourism Sachin Kurve, the Uttarakhand government has established a 10-member committee to develop a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for helicopter operations across the state. The committee, headed by Home Secretary Shailesh Bagauli, has been tasked with submitting its detailed report to the government by August 15.
The committee includes key stakeholders such as the CEO of Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) Sonika, who will serve as the Member Secretary. Other members include secretaries from the Civil Aviation and Disaster Management departments, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), representatives from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, and officials from the Meteorological Department. Additionally, Executive Directors from the Centre’s Airspace and Air Traffic Management divisions, a nominated helicopter service operator, and a pilot from DGCA or UCADA will also be part of the team.
The primary objectives of the committee include analyzing past helicopter accidents, identifying their root causes, and recommending measures to prevent future incidents. The panel will also propose administrative reforms, and improvements in human resource deployment and equipment management within UCADA, and suggest revisions to previously drafted SOPs.
Furthermore, the committee will work on strengthening weather communication systems and enhancing air traffic management infrastructure to ensure safer and more efficient helicopter operations in the state.
