First phase of Char Dham Yatra 2026 helicopter operations concludes
The first phase of Char Dham Yatra 2026 helicopter operations in Uttarakhand, which began with the Yatra in April, concluded on 26 June 2026 after 12,032 shuttle departures carrying 67,064 pilgrims, the Civil Aviation Ministry said on 27 June.
Summary
The Ministry of Civil Aviation said on 27 June 2026 that the first phase of Char Dham Yatra 2026 helicopter operations in Uttarakhand, which began with the opening of the Yatra in April, concluded on 26 June 2026. About 400 helicopter movements were conducted daily; 12,032 shuttle departures carried 67,064 pilgrims and 2,065 charter operations carried 11,715 more. The Airports Authority of India ran Air Traffic Control services at Sahastradhara and Sersi, and the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) installed 33 PTZ cameras at critical locations; land has been identified for permanent ATC at Badrinath and Kedarnath.
Key facts
- Period
- April to 26 June 2026 (first phase)
- Daily movements
- About 400
- Shuttles
- 12,032 departures; 67,064 pilgrims
- Charters
- 2,065 operations; 11,715 pilgrims
- Safety
- ATC at Sahastradhara and Sersi; 33 PTZ cameras by UCADA
Practice MCQs 3 questions
How many pilgrims travelled on shuttle helicopter services in the first phase of Char Dham Yatra 2026 operations, which concluded on 26 June 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 67,064
12,032 shuttle departures carried 67,064 pilgrims; separately, 2,065 charter operations carried 11,715 pilgrims.
For Char Dham Yatra 2026 helicopter operations, the Airports Authority of India operationalised Air Traffic Control services at:
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Correct answer: A — Sahastradhara and Sersi
AAI operationalised ATC services at Sahastradhara and Sersi; land has only been identified for permanent ATC at Badrinath and Kedarnath.
Consider the following statements about the first phase of Char Dham Yatra 2026 helicopter operations: 1. About 400 helicopter movements were conducted daily. 2. UCADA installed 33 PTZ cameras at critical locations. 3. The first phase began in March 2026. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The first phase began with the opening of the Char Dham Yatra in April 2026, not March.