A curious incident unfolded on Wednesday when an Indian Air Force helicopter, transporting President Droupadi Murmu, briefly sank into a freshly laid concrete helipad at the Pramadom indoor stadium in Pathanamthitta. While initial reports sparked a minor stir, authorities swiftly clarified that there was no security breach.
Visuals of police and Fire and Rescue Services personnel manually pushing the President’s chopper circulated widely, igniting public speculation and some criticism. The unexpected landing site in Pramadom was a last-minute alteration, necessitated by adverse weather conditions that prevented the planned landing at Nilakkal.
Officials quickly explained that the helipad had been completed just hours before the President’s arrival, and its surface remained somewhat soft and damp due to recent weather. Despite these conditions, both security and ground coordination teams had given the all-clear for the landing.
Pathanamthitta Collector S. Prem Krishnan elaborated on the event, stating that the helicopter’s tail had slightly shifted upon touchdown. "The central ‘H’ mark of the landing area was properly concreted, but the surrounding sections were still a bit softer. When the tail section made contact with this softer ground, it left a minor tyre impression. Crucially, if there had been any safety concerns, the aircraft would not have been cleared for its subsequent evening takeoff from the very same spot," he reassured.
The Collector further clarified that the personnel seen pushing the helicopter were simply following the pilot’s request to accurately reposition the aircraft onto the designated ‘H’ mark. Konni legislator K.U. Janessh Kumar, who witnessed the event firsthand, also debunked claims of the helicopter being "stuck."
"The helicopter moved slightly backwards after landing. To prevent dust and debris from being stirred up during takeoff by the rotor wash, the pilot asked security personnel to guide it back to the exact center of the helipad. There was absolutely no damage to the aircraft," Kumar affirmed.
Nevertheless, the widely shared images of uniformed personnel manually maneuvering the presidential helicopter garnered significant public attention. Subsequently, police cleared media personnel from the immediate vicinity, citing security protocols.