Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Nov 25: As chopper service from base camp Katra to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine resumed on Wednesday, two days after the crash in which six pilgrims and woman Pilot were killed, locals staged protest against alleged violation of air route and norms for maximum sorties in a day.
Shouting slogans, the protesting locals blocked route to the helipad near Bhumika Mandir on the Puna road for an hour. They were demanding that DGCA’s SOP on air service should be made public by Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
On the other hand, the routine chopper service on Katra- Sanjichat and Sanjichat-Katra route was resumed today at 3 p m by both the private operators; Himalayan Heli Service and Global Vectra after conducting two more trial runs under the supervision of DGCA team, this morning. One trial flight was held yesterday.
“Total six chopper flights, carrying pilgrims were taken today as the service was resumed from this afternoon,” A K Sahu, CEO Shrine Board, told the Excelsior.
Earlier, in the morning, the DGCA team conducted detailed safety audit of the chopper operation between Katra-Sanjichat and Sanjichat-Katra sector. The DGC team, comprising of Deputy Director Air Safety, Rajendran, Deputy Director Air Worthiness, Deep Kumar and Captain Vishal Choudhary continued their audit on various air safety norms such as airworthiness of the helicopters, operation and maintenance procedure, being followed by the operators. They were assisted by the local Police and team of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
Meanwhile, the Aircraft Accident Investigating Bureau (AAIB) team of DGCA today revisited the site of chopper crash for the second consecutive day and once again inspected wreckage of the flying machine.
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