President Droupadi Murmu’s Helicopter Gets Stuck on New Helipad in Kerala

During her official visit to Kerala for the Sabarimala pilgrimage, President Droupadi Murmu faced an unexpected incident when her helicopter got stuck in depressions on a freshly concreted helipad at Pramadam. The mishap occurred at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium helipad early Wednesday morning.

After the President landed safely, police officers and fire force personnel were seen pushing the helicopter wheels out of the small depressions formed on the concrete. The incident caused no harm to the President or the crew, and she continued her journey to Pamba via road.

A senior police official explained that the helipad was prepared at the last minute because the original landing location at Nilackal near Pamba had to be changed due to inclement weather. “The concrete had not set completely and therefore, it could not handle the helicopter’s weight when it landed, causing depressions where the wheels touched the ground,” the officer added.

President Murmu had arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday evening for a four-day official visit to Kerala. From Pramadam, she traveled by road to Pathanamthitta district, where the Sabarimala shrine is located.

The visuals broadcast on television showed the rapid response by security and fire personnel to ensure the helicopter was stabilized and cleared safely. Despite the last-minute change in landing arrangements, the President’s itinerary continued without significant delay.

This incident has raised attention to the need for properly set and inspected helipads for VIP and presidential travel, especially in locations where last-minute changes may be required due to weather or logistical constraints. Aviation safety experts stress that such precautions are critical to prevent accidents during high-profile visits.

While the incident caused a minor disruption, officials noted that all necessary precautions and protocols were followed, and there was no impact on the President’s official engagements in the state.

The event adds to the ongoing coverage of President Murmu’s visit to Kerala, emphasizing the challenges of conducting safe presidential travel in areas with sudden weather changes and terrain limitations.