States » NorthPosted at: Oct 9 2026 12:21AM


Uttarakhand: Direct air service from Dehradun to Badrinath, Kedarnath fails to take off

By Prithviraj Singh
Dehradun, Oct 8 (UNI) Chardham pilgrims coming to Uttarakhand to fly straight to Badrinath and Kedarnath will be left disheartened as heli services that was scheduled to start on September 15 are unlikely to take off for entire season due to a technical snag developed in the MI-17 helicopter and for the want of critical spare part, claimed the service providing firm today.

Going by the information shared by the officials of Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) direct heli services from Dehradun Airport to Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines have remained suspended mainly due to dysfunction of the flying machine. Efforts by Rudraksh Aviation, helicopter firm contracted to provide services, have failed for delay caused in importing an important spare part from outside India. UCADA officials said now heli service from Dehradun to Badrinath and Kedarnath could be resumed in the next pilgrimage season of 2027.
"The helicopter service proposed to take off from Jolly Grant Helipad to Badrinath and Kedarnath on September 15. However it could not be launched till date even as air services from helipads close to Kedarnath are going on in full swing. It is learnt that the company was forced to cancel all its flights and bookings due to technical failure in Rudraksh Aviation's helicopter.
Adding to the injury was a delay in procuring an important spare part from outside the country. Rudraksh Aviation is likely to keep these servies in abeyance for entire seaon and resume it in the next Chardham pilgrimage season," said an UCADA official in Dehradun.

In a statement, Rudraksh Aviation manager PK Chabra said, "Flights scheduled to begin from September 15 using MI-17 helicopter had to be suspended due to a technical snag in the helicopter. We hope that once the technical fault is resolved helicopter will start flying again from Jolly Grant to both shrines in the next Yatra season."
It's notable that Rudraksh Aviation had been running heli services direct to Badrinath and Kedarnath from Jolly Grant Helipad at Dehradun Airport for the past three years. This season, too, company started off well on April 30, using an MI-17 helicopter for both shrines. The helicopter, carrying 18 pilgrims made two flights every day between April 30 and June 13. However, it was suspended by the government and UCADA owing to monsoon season after June 13.
Nearly 1,450 pilgrims flew to Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines in helicopter before the helicopter service was suspended till September 14. Following this UCADA had allowed to resume the air service for Chardgam pilgrims to Badrinath and Kedarnath on September 14. But the preparations started by the Rudraksh Aviation had to be halted due to a snag in the helicopter.
Company confirmed that a vital spare part for the helicopter was to be brought from overseas. It added that delay caused in procuring the part has forced the company to cancel all its flight schedules from September 15 onwards. UNI PS SS
Tags: #Uttarakhand: Direct air service from Dehradun to Badrinath# Kedarnath fails to take off
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