Pune, June 25 -- Civil aviation minister Rammohan K Naidu on Tuesday announced that there will be a dedicated Helicopter directorate under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), establishing single-window regulatory oversight for the country's rotary-wing aviation sector. Naidu made the announcement during his keynote address at the 7th Helicopter and Small Aircraft Summit, citing the need to address helicopter-specific safety and certification issues while assisting operators with procedural requirements. The move comes after a series of helicopter accidents during this year's Char Dham Yatra, including the June 15 crash of an Aryan Aviation helicopter returning from Kedarnath that killed all seven persons on board. "There should be no compromise on the safety aspect," Naidu said, emphasising the operational challenges posed by sudden weather changes in hilly terrain." "Safety of the pilgrims must remain our top priority-there can be no shortcuts, no room for communication errors and no margin for poor decision-making," the minister said. The minister highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance surveillance and air traffic control systems for challenging routes, particularly in Uttarakhand. "Since it is a hilly area, air traffic management is challenging as there is no signal there. We are looking for innovative solutions," the minister said. Naidu also announced the formal award of new helicopter routes under the government's Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme across several states, aimed at strengthening regional air connectivity across states. The Centre has simultaneously launched digital initiatives including the Heli Sewa Portal, which streamlines operations through digitised route approvals and slot allocations, enhancing transparency and efficiency. The new directorate represents the first institutional support mechanism specifically designed for rotary-wing aviation in India. Naidu stressed on the unique role helicopters and small aircraft play in a country like India, where terrain and infrastructure constraints make conventional airports difficult to establish in certain regions with difficult terrain. "India is such a vast country with different terrains and challenges. To connect every corner, we need different ecosystems. Helicopters help us reach areas where it is difficult to build airports," Civil aviation minister explained....