President Murmu's Helipad Incident During Kerala Trip

In a surprising turn of events, part of the helipad at Pramadam sank as President Droupadi Murmu’s helicopter arrived for her official Kerala visit on Wednesday. The Indian Air Force’s Mi-17 helicopter, landing on the newly constructed helipad, created visible depressions due to the inability of the concrete to bear its weight. Quick actions by police and fire personnel were taken to stabilize the helicopter before its safe relocation.

The landing site was unexpectedly shifted from Nilackal near Pamba to Pramadam because of adverse weather conditions. It was confirmed by officials that the concrete on the helipad had not adequately cured, rendering it susceptible to the helicopter's weight. A senior police officer explained, “The depressions were noticeable at the points where the wheels made contact, as the concrete was still setting.” Though the helipad incident occurred, the visit of President Murmu proceeded without any further issues.

President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday for a four-day official engagement in Kerala. During this period, she is scheduled to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, making her the first female head of state to make the sacred pilgrimage. She is only the second president to visit the temple, following former President VV Giri in the 1970s. The media has closely tracked the President’s visit, noting both the significance of her pilgrimage and the security measures in place.

After her darshan at Sabarimala, President Murmu will head back to Thiruvananthapuram in the evening. Her agenda includes unveiling a bust of former President KR Narayanan at Raj Bhavan, inaugurating the Mahasamadhi Centenary celebrations of Sree Narayana Guru at Sivagiri Mutt in Varkala, and participating in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations at St. Thomas College in Pala, Kottayam district. She is expected to conclude her visit to Kerala on October 24 by attending the centenary celebrations of St. Teresa’s College in Ernakulam.

The sinking of the helipad has garnered significant attention online, with images circulating that depict the helicopter briefly grounded in the sunken surface. Authorities have reassured the public that neither the President nor her crew was harmed. This incident has sparked discussions regarding the timely construction and inspection of temporary landing facilities, especially for visits by high-profile figures such as the President.

Regardless of the helipad sinking, the security and ceremonial preparations ensured that President Murmu’s official schedule continued seamlessly. Officials have indicated that insights gained from this incident will be utilized to enhance the infrastructure of helipads for future visits by dignitaries at both state and national levels.