President Murmu’s Chopper Sinks Slightly on Helipad
During an official visit to Kerala, the helicopter carrying President Droupadi Murmu sank into a partially settled helipad at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Pramadam, just before her scheduled stop at the Sabarimala Temple. After landing, the helicopter’s wheels settled into depressions in the newly-poured concrete. No injuries or damage to the aircraft were reported.
Landing Site Change & Cause
Officials say the original landing was to take place at Nilackal, but bad weather forced a last-minute switch to Pramadam. With the helipad constructed overnight, the concrete had not fully set, which caused the surface to give way under the chopper’s weight.
Response and Safety
Personnel from the police and fire departments swiftly responded, manually pushing the helicopter out of the settled area shortly after landing. The President continued to her destination by road without interruption. Authorities emphasised that high-level security and safety protocols were in place throughout the visit.
Broader Implications
Though no harm was done, the incident highlights risks associated with rapidly prepared landing sites, especially during important state visits. Infrastructure and engineering standards for temporary helipads are now under scrutiny, and officials have pledged a full investigation to ensure such mishaps are avoided in the future.
