Helipad Collapses Under President Murmu’s Chopper in Kerala
Helipad sinks during President’s Sabarimala visit, no injuries reported.
On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, a newly constructed helipad at Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Pramadam, Kerala, partially sank under the weight of an Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter carrying President Droupadi Murmu, who was en route to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala. The incident occurred shortly after the helicopter landed, with the tarmac, concreted late on Tuesday, forming small depressions where the chopper’s wheels made contact. A senior police officer explained that the concrete had not fully set, rendering it unable to support the helicopter’s weight due to the expedited construction.
The helipad’s location was finalized at the last minute, changed from Nilackal near Pamba to Pramadam due to adverse weather conditions. After President Murmu safely disembarked and proceeded to Pamba by road, police and fire personnel worked to free the helicopter’s wheels from the sunken patches, ensuring no damage to the aircraft. No injuries were reported, and the incident did not disrupt the President’s schedule.
President Murmu, who arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday evening for a four-day official visit to Kerala, is set to make history as the first woman head of state to offer prayers at the Sabarimala temple later on Wednesday. She will be the second president to visit the shrine, following former President VV Giri in the 1970s. The anticipated visit has generated significant excitement among locals, with devotee Suresh Menon stating, “Her visit is a landmark moment for Sabarimala’s legacy.”
Following her temple visit, President Murmu will return to Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday evening. On Thursday, October 23, she will unveil a bust of former President KR Narayanan at Raj Bhavan and inaugurate the Mahasamadhi Centenary celebrations of Sree Narayana Guru at Sivagiri Mutt in Varkala. She will also attend the Platinum Jubilee valedictory function of St Thomas College in Pala, Kottayam district. Her Kerala visit will conclude on October 24 with the centenary celebrations of St Teresa’s College in Ernakulam.
The helipad incident has raised concerns about infrastructure readiness for high-profile visits, prompting officials to review the decision to use a hastily prepared site. Despite the mishap, President Murmu’s upcoming darshan at Sabarimala and her packed itinerary highlight her dedication to connecting with Kerala’s cultural, religious, and educational heritage during this significant visit.
