Successful Chinook Helicopter Landing in Yamunotri; Heavy Equipment to Reach Easily Now

Dehradun (Utrakhand): Preparations for the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand are in full swing. To ensure a smooth pilgrimage for devotees, the state government is making special arrangements. As part of the disaster management strategy to tackle natural calamities like rain, floods, and landslides, the Indian Air Force’s Chinook helicopter will also be deployed.

On Tuesday, a trial landing of the Chinook helicopter was successfully conducted at Yamunotri Dham, one of the four holy sites, to facilitate the transportation of heavy construction material from Uttarkashi to Yamunotri during the yatra.

Last year, heavy damage was caused to government and private properties due to natural disasters. Hence, in order to protect these assets and ensure public safety, it has become necessary to carry out flood control construction work in a phased manner. Acting on the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarkashi District Magistrate Meherban Singh Bisht had requested the Air Force for the Chinook helicopter.

Now that the trial has been successful, transporting heavy materials for ongoing construction work along the nearly six-kilometer trekking route to Yamunotri will no longer be a major challenge. Even the heaviest of goods can now be airlifted with ease using the Chinook.

DM Meherban Singh Bisht stated that the holy Yamunotri Yatra will commence on April 30, and the helicopter will be used to quickly deliver equipment needed for the construction projects already underway. Following the trial landing, the Irrigation Department will now be able to deliver essential machines to Yamunotri Dham on time.

Flood protection work is being carried out at a cost of ₹195.685 million (₹19.56 crore) along both banks of the Yamuna River, from the Shri Ram Temple in Jankichatti to the Akholi Bridge. With the successful trial, the process of airlifting the necessary machinery will now begin.