Uttarakhand: Sanjeevani Helicopter Emergency Medical Service is proving to be a lifesaver, Dhami government has airlifted more than 60 victims through various missions so far

In a hilly state like Uttarakhand, to provide immediate assistance to the common people in case of disaster, emergency medical or other emergency situations, the heli ambulance at AIIMS Rishikesh has been kept on alert mode 24 hours a day by the state government. So far, more than 60 victims have been airlifted through this service.

Helicopter service becomes life saver

India’s first free heli ambulance (Sanjeevani Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) has been started from 29 October 2024 through AIIMS Rishikesh. This service is working as a life saver in a hilly state like Uttarakhand. This service has proved to be very effective especially in situations like road accidents, medical emergencies, landslides, floods. Many times pregnant women have also been airlifted for safe delivery in critical situations. According to the data, the heli ambulance has provided life saving to more than 60 victims by airlifting them at different times through a total flight of 74 hours and 12 minutes. This includes 23 road accident patients, 18 pregnancy emergencies and 19 other types of medical emergencies. Heli Ambulance played an important role in airlifting the victims of the Almora bus accident on November 5 and the Joshimath avalanche on March 1, 2025.

Efforts were also made for Munsiyari

On July 11, 2025, a serious medical emergency was reported from Dhapa village in Munsiyari area of ​​Pithoragarh district, where a woman and her granddaughter had consumed wild mushrooms. After first aid at the local health center, the doctors decided to immediately refer them to the higher medical institute in Haldwani. Seeing the seriousness of the situation, the District Magistrate Pithoragarh sent a demand to the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) to provide immediate helicopter service. In response, the authority granted approval for the helicopter flight without losing time. But unfortunately, due to the weather being very bad in the area that day, the flight was not possible due to the standards of DGCA. In such cases, it has been clarified by the government that in any emergency, helicopter service will be provided on priority basis on the demand sent by the District Magistrate. But the final permission for the flight is given only as per the safety standards set by the DGCA, in which weather compatibility is a mandatory condition.

In view of the adverse conditions of Uttarakhand, helicopter ambulance service has been started in collaboration with AIIMS Rishikesh. Uttarakhand is one of the leading states in the country to provide such service. Helicopter ambulance is working as Sanjeevani. Many times the flight is not possible due to weather related obstacles, in such a situation, the administration has been instructed to provide relief to the people with alternative arrangements.

Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand