The Aryavarth Express
Pramadam: A section of the helipad tarmac at Pramadam Stadium partially collapsed on Wednesday moments after President Droupadi Murmu’s helicopter landed during her official visit to the Sabarimala temple.
Officials on-site reported that the surface gave way shortly after the chopper touched down. Acting swiftly, personnel from the police and fire departments pushed the helicopter out of the sunken area to ensure the President’s safety. No injuries were reported.
President Murmu is on a four-day visit to Kerala from October 21 to 24. She arrived at Thiruvananthapuram Airport on Tuesday, where she was received by Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, George Kurian.
The official X account of the President of India shared updates on her arrival, with Kerala CM Vijayan also posting a warm welcome:
“Her presence was a great honour for the State and our people,” he said.
As part of her itinerary, President Murmu performed darshan and aarti at the Sabarimala temple on October 22. On October 23, she unveiled a bust of former President K.R. Narayanan at Raj Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram, and later participated in events at Sivagiri Mutt, Varkala, and St. Thomas College, Palai.
On October 24, she attended the centenary celebrations of St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam.
During her visit, a BJP delegation led by Kerala party president Rajeev Chandrasekhar met the President at Raj Bhavan to raise public concerns, including the recent Sabarimala gold theft incident, according to a party release.
