In response to five helicopter accidents during the Char Dham Yatra last year, Uttarakhand is implementing stringent safety measures for the upcoming pilgrimage season starting April 19. The state has mandated a minimum of 1,500 flying hours for pilots, including 750 hours in mountainous terrain, to enhance flight safety. Companies whose helicopters were involved in past accidents have been barred from this season's operations, with a new tender process initiated to select safer operators. The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) is reducing flight operations by 30% and establishing command centers at Sersi in Rudraprayag and Sahastradhara in Dehradun. These centers will support enhanced monitoring, with 33 cameras set up to provide real-time updates on weather and operational conditions. Additionally, automated weather systems and communication systems will be deployed, and slope correction work is underway at Kedarnath. UCADA will ensure compliance with safety protocols through regular maintenance checks and independent monitoring by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).