Helipad Mishap Raises Concerns Over President's Security

During President Droupadi Murmu's visit to Sabarimala, the helicopter wheels sunk into a newly concreted helipad at Pramadam, prompting criticisms of a 'security lapse' from former minister V Muraleedharan. The incident highlighted alleged carelessness by the Kerala government in ensuring the President's safety.

President Droupadi Murmu's visit to Sabarimala took an unexpected turn when her helicopter's wheels became embedded in a depression at the newly concreted helipad in Pramadam. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

Visuals broadcasted on television showed police and fire personnel laboriously working to free the aircraft's wheels. The episode has drawn sharp criticism from former Union Minister V Muraleedharan, who described it as a 'security lapse' and pointed to supposed negligence by the Kerala government in ensuring the President's safety.

Muraleedharan is calling for a thorough investigation into the matter, asserting that the incident should not be taken lightly. Officials noted that the helipad's concrete had not fully set, as the landing location was changed last-minute due to weather conditions, from Nilackal to Pramadam.

(With inputs from agencies.)