The Uttarakhand government has proposed developing helipads at the portals of key mountain tunnels to bolster disaster response infrastructure in the Himalayan state, where road connectivity is often disrupted by landslides and extreme weather.
The plan, put forward by the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), aims to use strategically located tunnel entrances as rapid-response hubs for helicopter-based rescue and relief operations.
UCADA Chief Executive Officer Ashish Chauhan said air services are critical in emergencies in mountainous terrain. “Road routes in hilly areas are often blocked or time-consuming. In such situations, helicopter services can be the most effective means of delivering rapid relief,” he said, adding that helipads at tunnel portals would enhance accessibility during crises.
A major catalyst for the proposal is the 125-kilometre Rishikesh–Karnaprayag Railway Project being executed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). The ambitious line, designed to connect the pilgrimage town of Rishikesh with Karnaprayag in Chamoli district, runs largely underground due to the fragile Himalayan geology. More than 80 per cent of the alignment passes through tunnels, making it one of the most tunnel-intensive railway projects in the country.
Officials believe the tunnel portals, typically located at accessible yet secure points along the alignment, can serve as ideal nodes for coordinated disaster management operations.
The proposal also comes against the backdrop of recent challenges in the state’s geologically sensitive zones. In November 2023, a portion of the Silyara tunnel in Uttarkashi district collapsed, trapping 41 workers for 17 days and highlighting the vulnerability of infrastructure in the region.
According to officials, 18 heliports are currently under development across Uttarakhand, with services already operational at 12 locations. The addition of helipads at tunnel portals is expected to further strengthen the state’s emergency preparedness, particularly during landslides, floods and other natural disasters common to the Himalayas.