Dehradun: In a fortunate turn of events amidst the ongoing Char Dham Yatra, a helicopter operated by Crystal Aviation experienced a critical technical malfunction, necessitating an emergency landing. The incident occurred on Friday, as the helicopter was en route to Kedarnath Dham, one of the revered sites in the Himalayan pilgrimage circuit. The pilot, displaying commendable skill and presence of mind, managed to safely land the aircraft approximately 100 meters before the designated helipad at Kedarnath Dham.
The helicopter, belonging to Kestrel Aviation Company and originating from Sirsi Helipad, was carrying passengers to the holy site when the sudden technical issue arose. The pilot’s quick action ensured the safety of all six individuals on board, including himself. Upon landing, police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams were promptly dispatched to the site, successfully evacuating all passengers without any reported injuries or loss of property.
This year’s Char Dham Yatra has witnessed an unprecedented influx of devotees, with the pilgrimage statistics reaching record-breaking numbers. So far, over 340,000 pilgrims have visited the Gangotri and Yamunotri Dhams. Specifically, Yamunotri Dham has welcomed over 164,000 pilgrims, while Gangotri Dham has been visited by more than 151,000 individuals. Additionally, Badrinath Dham has seen a footfall of 177,749 devotees. To maintain the sanctity and order within the temple premises, authorities have issued challans to 37 individuals for filming videos in restricted areas of Badrinath Dham.
The Char Dham Yatra, a spiritual journey to four sacred sites in the Indian Himalayas, continues to draw lakhs of devotees each year, seeking blessings and spiritual fulfillment. The recent incident serves as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with travel to these remote locations and the importance of stringent safety measures to protect the well-being of all pilgrims.
