President Droupadi Murmu’s helicopter got stuck in a newly constructed helipad at Pramadam Indoor Stadium in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, on Wednesday morning.
The landing site was changed from Nilakkal to Pramadam due to bad weather. Upon touchdown, the helicopter’s wheels sank into the unset concrete surface, creating a depression that trapped the aircraft. Emergency responders from the police and fire departments acted swiftly. They manually pushed the helicopter out of the soft patch, allowing the President to resume her journey.
No injuries were reported to the President or the pilots. The incident occurred during her four-day official visit to Kerala, which began Tuesday evening. She was en route to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala.
Following the helipad mishap, President Murmu traveled to the Sabarimala Sannidhanam via Swami Ayyappan Road and the traditional trekking route. Her convoy included five four-wheel-drive vehicles and an ambulance. Security was heightened for the visit, with officials from the Travancore Devaswom Board confirming that a full convoy rehearsal had been conducted to ensure smooth passage.
The President is expected to return to Thiruvananthapuram later in the evening after completing her temple visit. The helipad collapse has raised concerns about infrastructure readiness during high-profile visits. Authorities may review the construction standards and safety protocols for temporary landing zones in the region.
This incident underscores the importance of thorough site inspections and contingency planning for VIP travel, especially in areas with unpredictable weather and challenging terrain.
