Key Points:
- Kedarnath helicopter fare increased by 49% effective September 15, 2025, pending DGCA approval
- Round-trip fare from Guptkashi now ₹12,444 (up from ₹8,500), Phata ₹8,900, Sirsi ₹8,500
- New safety infrastructure includes automatic weather stations, control rooms, and 22-member monitoring team
- Fare hike follows helicopter accidents on Badrinath and Gangotri routes prompting security overhaul
- IRCTC online ticket booking to begin September 10, 2025
Dehradun: Devotees planning to visit the sacred Kedarnath shrine by helicopter will face a significant financial burden as the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) has announced a 49% increase in helicopter fares, effective September 15, 2025. The revised pricing structure will make air travel to one of India’s most revered temples substantially more expensive for pilgrims.
Under the new fare structure, round-trip tickets from Guptkashi to Kedarnath will cost ₹12,444, compared to the previous rate of approximately ₹8,500. Similarly, fares from Phata have been set at ₹8,900 and from Sirsi at ₹8,500, representing increases of ₹4,000-5,000 per ticket across all routes. These enhanced rates are contingent upon final approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Advanced Safety Infrastructure Implementation
UCADA CEO Ashish Chauhan announced that the fare increase is directly linked to comprehensive technical upgrades aimed at making helicopter services safer and more reliable. The new safety framework includes the installation of automatic weather stations across all four Char Dham sites, providing real-time meteorological data to pilots and ground control.
The enhanced security apparatus will feature PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras, Air Traffic Control (ATC) systems, VHF communication sets, and ceilometers at strategic locations. These sophisticated instruments will continuously monitor weather conditions, visibility, and flight operations to prevent accidents caused by sudden weather changes in the high-altitude Himalayan terrain.
Dual Control Room System Established
Two dedicated control rooms will be established in Dehradun’s Sahastradhara and Sirsi to provide round-the-clock monitoring of helicopter operations. A specially trained team of 22 operators will be deployed at ground level to ensure continuous surveillance of flight safety and operational efficiency. This centralized monitoring system represents a significant upgrade from the previous ad-hoc safety arrangements.
Learning from Past Tragedies
The sweeping changes in helicopter services stem directly from recent accidents on the Badrinath and Gangotri routes that prompted DGCA intervention. Following these incidents, the aviation regulator instructed the Uttarakhand government to implement stricter security protocols.
A high-level committee headed by Home Secretary Shailesh Bagauli was constituted to examine safety gaps and recommend comprehensive solutions. The current upgrades are being implemented based on this committee’s detailed recommendations to prevent future mishaps in the challenging mountainous terrain.
Financial Impact on Pilgrims
The substantial fare increase will significantly impact elderly devotees and those with health conditions who rely on helicopter services due to their inability to undertake the arduous 16-kilometer trek to Kedarnath. For many pilgrims, particularly senior citizens and differently-abled individuals, air travel remains the only viable option to reach the shrine.
However, state officials maintain that the enhanced pricing reflects the true cost of operating safe helicopter services in extreme weather conditions at altitudes exceeding 11,000 feet. The administration believes that improved safety measures and monitoring systems will provide better value despite higher costs.
Booking Process and Timeline
IRCTC will begin online ticket booking from September 10, 2025, with the first helicopter services scheduled to commence on September 15. Devotees must complete mandatory Char Dham Yatra registration before booking helicopter tickets through the official IRCTC Heli Yatra portal. The enhanced booking system is designed to manage passenger flow more efficiently during peak pilgrimage seasons.
