(Tribune)
Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had the luxury of visiting the Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand last week on board an Indian Army helicopter, the chopper services for pilgrims to the revered shrine, part of the Chardham Yatra, have been suspended by the DGCA on orders from the NGT.Acting on a plea raising concern over the looming threat to the flora and fauna in the eco-sensitive zone in the state due to regular operation of helicopters, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had issued orders for the suspension of the chopper services to Kedarnath Temple till further orders.Reports emerging from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that the chopper services to the shrine would start only after the clearance from the NGT.Although the Chardham Yatra and the Kedarnath shrine has opened up pilgrims, all the 14 private helicopters, who are overbooked for the ride to the temple, cannot operate till the matter again comes up for hearing at the NGT and the latter gives its clearance following assurances from the DGCA and the operators.
