U’khand copter crash: Irfan Ansari demands resignation of civil aviation minister | Ranchi News – Times of India

Ranchi: State health minister Irfan Ansari has demanded the resignation of civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu after the devastating helicopter crash near the Kedarnath shrine on Sunday which claimed the lives of seven pilgrims. The incident has sparked outrage with minister Ansari questioning the safety measures in place for the pilgrims.“The helicopter crash between Gaurikund and Trijuginarayan in Uttarakhand killing seven pilgrims on the spot, including a child, is heart-wrenching. My question to the Union govt is why the single-engine helicopters are not banned despite frequent mishaps being reported in Kedarnath claiming the lives of pilgrims. I’m deeply saddened by the incident. I appeal to the Prime Minister and the aviation minister to order a probe into the matter,” Ansari said in a video message on X.He demanded the operation of double-engine helicopters in the difficult terrain. Ansari also appealed to the pilgrims not to rely on helicopter services and march on foot for the pilgrimage.Stating that pilgrims go for the Kedarnath Yatra with utmost devotion and safeguarding them should be the topmost priority, Ansari added, “Pilgrims are not ordinary travellers — they are the symbols of faith. Every year, millions of devotees visit the Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar in Jharkhand and the govt ensures vigilance at every level, and no such mishaps ever occurred. The Union ministers must visit Babadham and take lessons from us.“Meanwhile, chief minister Hemant Soren expressed grief over the incident. In a post on X, Hemant wrote. “The death of the pilgrims in a helicopter crash going from Kedarnath to Guptakashi is very sad. May Marang Buru grant peace to the departed souls and give strength to the bereaved families to bear the loss in this hour of grief.”Ranchi: State health minister Irfan Ansari has demanded the resignation of civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu after the devastating helicopter crash near the Kedarnath shrine on Sunday which claimed the lives of seven pilgrims. The incident has sparked outrage with minister Ansari questioning the safety measures in place for the pilgrims.“The helicopter crash between Gaurikund and Trijuginarayan in Uttarakhand killing seven pilgrims on the spot, including a child, is heart-wrenching. My question to the Union govt is why the single-engine helicopters are not banned despite frequent mishaps being reported in Kedarnath claiming the lives of pilgrims. I’m deeply saddened by the incident. I appeal to the Prime Minister and the aviation minister to order a probe into the matter,” Ansari said in a video message on X.He demanded the operation of double-engine helicopters in the difficult terrain. Ansari also appealed to the pilgrims not to rely on helicopter services and march on foot for the pilgrimage.Stating that pilgrims go for the Kedarnath Yatra with utmost devotion and safeguarding them should be the topmost priority, Ansari added, “Pilgrims are not ordinary travellers — they are the symbols of faith. Every year, millions of devotees visit the Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar in Jharkhand and the govt ensures vigilance at every level, and no such mishaps ever occurred. The Union ministers must visit Babadham and take lessons from us.“Meanwhile, chief minister Hemant Soren expressed grief over the incident. In a post on X, Hemant wrote. “The death of the pilgrims in a helicopter crash going from Kedarnath to Guptakashi is very sad. May Marang Buru grant peace to the departed souls and give strength to the bereaved families to bear the loss in this hour of grief.”