A visit by Indian President Droupadi Murmu to Kerala took an unexpected turn on Wednesday when part of a newly constructed helipad at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Pramadam, Pathanamthitta, caved in moments after her Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter landed.
According to reports, the ground beneath one section of the helipad sank slightly under the chopper’s weight, trapping one of its wheels. Following standard safety checks, President Murmu safely disembarked and continued her onward journey to Pamba, the foothills of Sabarimala, by road.
After the President’s convoy departed, bizarre scenes unfolded at the site as viral videos showed officials and air force personnel pushing the massive Mi-17 helicopter by hand to free it from the sunken patch of tarmac. The spectacle quickly spread across social media, sparking both amusement and outrage over the quality of the newly built helipad.
Critics questioned the planning and safety protocols for high-profile visits, with one social media user quipping, “President Droupadi Murmu gets a firsthand experience of BJP’s infrastructure — even the helipad couldn’t hold up.”
Authorities have launched an inquiry into the construction of the helipad and the cause of the collapse. Fortunately, there were no injuries or damage reported to the aircraft.
The incident has reignited debate over the state of infrastructure and safety standards during VIP movements, especially for top constitutional leaders.