President Droupadi Murmu's Helicopter Encounters Helipad Mishap During Sabarimala Visit

What Happened

During her official four‑day visit to Kerala, President Droupadi Murmu landed at a planned helipad at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium, Pramadam (near Pathanamthitta) on the morning of 22 October 2025. The landing location had been changed from the originally planned site at Nilakkal due to inclement weather. 

Shortly after touch‑down, the wheels of the Indian Air Force Mi‑17 helicopter sank into depressions in the newly‑laid concrete surface of the helipad. Officials noted that the concrete had not fully hardened, and the helipad had effectively been prepared at the last minute

Emergency personnel from the police and fire department were seen manually pushing the helicopter out of the depressions. Thankfully, the President was safely aboard, and there were no injuries or immediate safety threats reported. 

Why It Matters

• Safety and infrastructure concerns: The incident raises questions about the readiness of infrastructure for high‑profile visits. The last‑minute change of landing site, coupled with freshly poured concrete, placed both the helicopter and its occupants at risk. 

• Protocol for VIP visits: Such visits require rigorous advance planning of landing zones, helipads, and contingency plans. The deviation from the original site (Nilakkal to Pramadam) indicates how weather and geography can force rapid adjustments—yet the infrastructure must still meet safety standards.

• Media & public perception: For the President’s visit to Sabarimala (which carries religious and symbolic significance), an infrastructure glitch becomes a story of potential oversight. While no one was harmed, the optics invite scrutiny.

• Operational logistics in challenging terrain: Sabarimala and its surroundings are hilly and prone to sudden weather changes. The need to shift the landing pad at short notice is understandable—but may require more stringent checks and buffer time for construction or surfacing.

Background of the Visit

President Murmu arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on 21 October 2025 to begin a four‑day visit to Kerala. Her itinerary included a visit to the Sabarimala hill shrine in Pathanamthitta district, various religious and educational events, and engagements with state officials. 

On the morning of 22 October, due to weather constraints, the helicopter landing site was shifted to the indoor stadium field at Pramadam. This rapid change appears to have contributed to the helipad being freshly constructed and poorly set at the time of landing. 

What Went Wrong

• Late site selection: Officials indicated Pramadam was selected as the landing venue at short notice, resulting in rushed preparations. 

• Concrete not set: According to district police officers, the concrete surface had insufficient curing time and was unable to support the helicopter’s weight without forming depressions under the wheels. 

• Change in plan due to weather: The original landing site Nilakkal was deemed unsuitable due to weather, necessitating the last‑minute shift. This highlights the challenge of logistics in areas like hill terrain. 

Follow‑Up and Implications

• The incident is likely to trigger a review of how helipads for VIP landings are selected and certified—especially in terrain where site changes may be necessary.

• There may also be scrutiny of whether backup landing preparations (including helipads that are previously set and certified) should be maintained rather than building or altering surfaces at short notice.

• Security agencies and engineering teams will probably re‑examine protocols for landing infrastructure in high‑risk zones—ensuring that weight calculations, surface integrity and weather contingencies are all rigorously validated before arrival.

• While the President’s focus was on her official visit and subsequent road travel to the shrine, the incident becomes part of the narrative around state preparedness and VIP logistics.

Final Thoughts

Although the mishap did not escalate into a serious accident, it underscores how even small oversights in preparation can create unexpected situations during high‑profile visits. The President proceeded with her planned programme without disruption, which is reassuring—but the event will likely serve as a cautionary case for future logistics planning.