Pathanamthitta, Oct 22, 2025: A minor incident occurred near Pathanamthitta in Kerala when the helicopter carrying President Droupadi Murmu to Sabarimala got stuck while landing. One of the helicopter’s wheels sank into the soft surface of a newly constructed helipad at Pramadom.
The helicopter landed safely at around 9:05 AM, but shortly after the President disembarked, the wheels got stuck in freshly laid concrete. Despite the incident, President Murmu continued her journey to Pampa by road without any delay.
According to official sources, the construction of the helipad at Pramadom Indoor Stadium was completed just a few hours before the President’s arrival. Initially, she was scheduled to land at Nilakkal, but unfavorable weather conditions in that area forced a last-minute change in the landing site.
The helicopter was later moved with assistance from police and fire and rescue personnel.
📍Kerala | #Watch: A portion of the helipad tarmac sank in after a chopper carrying President Droupdi Murmu landed at Pramadam Stadium. Police and fire department personnel deployed at the spot physically pushed the helicopter out of the sunken spot.
— NDTV (@ndtv) October 22, 2025
📹: ANI/X pic.twitter.com/5zpXTGDHuv
At Pampa, instead of taking a traditional dip in the river, the President observed the purification ritual by washing her feet. She then prepared the customary ’Irumudi’ at the Ganapati temple and proceeded towards the Sabarimala sanctum in a special vehicle provided by the Gurkha company.
Video courtesy: NDTV