Thiruvananthapuram, October 22:

A portion of a newly constructed helipad in Pramadam, Kerala, gave way under the weight of President Droupadi Murmu’s helicopter on Wednesday during her visit to the Sabarimala temple. The incident occurred after the Indian Air Force’s Mi-17 chopper landed on the freshly concreted tarmac, causing depressions where the wheels touched the ground. No injuries were reported, and the President continued her visit to the temple without disruption.

The helipad at Pramadam had been finalized as the landing site at the last minute due to adverse weather conditions that prevented the originally planned landing at Nilackal, near Pamba. According to senior police officials, the concrete on the helipad had not fully set, making it unable to support the helicopter’s weight. After the landing, several police and fire force personnel were seen manually pushing the helicopter wheels out of the depressions at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

President Murmu had arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday evening to begin a four-day official visit to Kerala. During her itinerary, she was scheduled to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, marking her as the first woman President to visit the shrine for this purpose. She is the second sitting President to visit Sabarimala, following former President VV Giri, who visited in the 1970s.

Following her Sabarimala darshan, President Murmu traveled by road from Pramadam to Pamba, the foothills of the temple, where she continued her prayers and engagements. Later in the day, she returned to Thiruvananthapuram in the evening.

Her visit includes several other key engagements across the state. On Thursday, she is set to unveil a bust of former President K.R. Narayanan at the Raj Bhavan, a ceremony that highlights her recognition of India’s past leaders. She will also inaugurate the Mahasamadhi Centenary celebrations of Sree Narayana Guru at the Sivagiri Mutt in Varkala, an event marking the spiritual and social contributions of the renowned saint. Additionally, she will attend the valedictory function of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations at St. Thomas College in Pala, Kottayam district.

President Murmu’s Kerala visit will conclude on October 24 with her participation in the centenary celebrations of St. Teresa’s College in Ernakulam, further emphasizing her engagements in educational and cultural initiatives.

Despite the unexpected incident with the helipad, the President’s schedule proceeded as planned, with authorities emphasizing that safety protocols were maintained throughout the visit. The Pramadam helipad incident highlights the challenges of last-minute logistical adjustments, particularly when handling the landings of heavy aircraft on newly constructed infrastructure. Authorities confirmed that the helipad will be reinforced to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The event has drawn attention to both the meticulous planning required for presidential visits and the resilience of officials in managing unforeseen situations, ensuring the continuity of high-profile engagements while safeguarding dignitaries and personnel.

 Helipad Sinks Under President Murmu’s Chopper in Kerala

During her visit to Sabarimala temple, President Droupadi Murmu’s helicopter caused a newly constructed helipad in Pramadam, Kerala, to sink partially. The Mi-17 chopper landed safely, but depressions formed in the fresh concrete as it had not fully set. Officials quickly managed the situation, and the President continued her journey by road to Pamba for temple prayers. Originally, the landing was planned at Nilackal, but bad weather prompted the change. President Murmu’s four-day Kerala visit includes unveiling a bust of former President K.R. Narayanan, attending centenary celebrations of Sree Narayana Guru, and visiting educational institutions across the state.