RUDRAPRAYAG, Apr 23: A 69-year-old pilgrim from Gujarat died of cardiac arrest in Kedarnath, but his body remained stranded for over five hours before the administration arranged a free airlift to the base while the family paid Rs 53,000 for a private ambulance home.
Dilip Bhai Mannu Mali from Vadodara’s Gorwa collapsed near the White House area at 6.30 am Wednesday, just moments before the temple gates opened. Yatra Management Force (YMF) personnel shifted him to the Kedarnath Primary Health Centre, where doctors declared him dead at 7.30 pm.
The victim’s son, Hemant Bhai Mali, alleged that despite pleas, no transport was arranged until 1 pm. Following the delay, the deceased’s body and Hemant were airlifted for free to the Jamu helipad. Four other members of the group were forced to travel down to the base on horses, paying Rs 3,000 each.
“We requested the district magistrate for a helicopter, but no arrangement was made for hours despite assurances. I eventually had to pay Rs 53,000 for a private ambulance from Rudraprayag to take my father’s body home to Vadodara,” Hemant told PTI.
The district administration denied allegations of negligence, stating that relief efforts began immediately despite a temporary suspension of helicopter services.
Refuting claims of administrative apathy, Nodal Officer for Kedarnath Yatra and SDM Ukhimath, Anil Singh Rawat, told PTI that the delay was because helicopter services were halted temporarily because of safety inspection protocols by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Several helicopter companies were conducting test flights at the time. Operations to Kedarnath resumed after the NoC was granted, Rawat said.
The administration maintained that officials acted with “sensitivity and quick decision-making”. The body was shifted to the Kedarnath helipad and airlifted to Jamu as soon as flight operations resumed following DGCA clearance.
From Jamu, the body was transported to the district hospital in Rudraprayag. The family left for Gujarat by ambulance late Wednesday night after completing formalities.
The incident occurred despite a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) by the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) that prioritises the air transportation of deceased pilgrims.
Officials noted that while medical emergencies get priority, body transport depends on resource availability and technical clearances.
While the administration maintains that a special plan is in place for pilgrim safety, the victim’s son expressed deep anguish. “I do not wish to blame anyone now, but we felt helpless for several hours during the ordeal,” Hemant said.
Health data released on Wednesday evening showed that of the 38,000 pilgrims at the shrine, only 424 underwent medical fitness tests. Only five devotees were flagged as unfit to continue the high-altitude trek. (PTI)
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