Chief Minister Harish Rawat’s helicopter on Tuesday made an emergency landing in Gairsain because of inclement weather.
Confirming the incident, MlA Madan Singh Bist, who was flying with the Chief Minister, told The Pioneer that they landed at Government Inter College (GIC), Gairsain campus. “We went to GMVN guest house by foot and informed the local administration about the emergency landing,” he added. The Chief Minister’s helicopter took-off from lohaghat for Dehradun at 4.45 pm. It was supposed to reach Dehradun by 6.15 pm so Chief Minister’s security personnel were waiting for him at Dehradun helipad.
As the news about the emergency landing broke, security officials got tizzy and alerted to the concerned district administration and rush to the spot. Meanwhile, Chamoli district magistrate rushed to Gairsain and local Congress leaders and workers reached to the GMVN hotels. The CM will come to Dehradun on Wednesday if weather permits.
According to sources, the pilot decided to make the emergency landing due to poor visibility. He had to fly more than 20 minutes to find safe place for landing and later decided to land in Gairsain. “We decided to stay in a guest house of Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN and informed to the CM security staff about the emergency landing over the phone,” the MlA said. “We are safe and waiting for weather clearance,” he added.