Controversy surrounding landing of President's helicopter: District Collector clarifies incident

PATHANAMTHITTA: District Collector S Premkrishnan has responded to the incident in which the helicopter carrying President Droupadi Murmu sank slightly into the concrete while landing at the Pramadam helipad in Pathanamthitta. His statement came after the issue sparked public discussion. The collector said the dip was only about half an inch deep. He clarified that there were no structural problems with the helipad. The helicopter landed slightly behind the marked “H” zone, and since the concrete was newly laid, it caused a half-inch depression. He added that if there had been any safety concern, the helicopter would not have been allowed to take off from there.

Earlier, State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar had also expressed a similar opinion. He explained that the helipad was completed at the last minute, though arrangements for the landing had already been made in advance. The helicopter landed about five feet away from the designated spot - on an area where the concrete had not fully set. Because of that, the helicopter could not move forward immediately. It was then pushed slightly to the originally marked landing spot. There were no issues with the helicopter or the President’s landing, he clarified.

The helipad was constructed by the Public Works Department (PWD). The department stated that it was built at the exact location suggested by Indian Air Force officials. The concrete work was completed late at night in the presence of Air Force personnel, the PWD said.

The incident took place at the helipad set up at Pramadam Indoor Stadium in Konni, Pathanamthitta. The helicopter’s wheels sank slightly into the concrete, and police and fire force personnel helped move it. Originally, the helicopter was supposed to land at Nilakkal, but due to unfavourable weather, the landing site was shifted to Pramadam.