Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Police have clarified that the crash occurred this morning at Pramadam in Pathanamthitta after a helicopter tire became partially stuck in the newly laid concrete on the helipad.
State Police Chief Sheikh Darvesh Saheb (DGP) told ETV Bharat that there was no lapse on the part of the police. He said that all decisions regarding the President’s helicopter operations are taken by the Air Force and the President’s security officials.
The DGP explained, “Originally, the plane was planned to land at Nilakkal, but due to a weather warning, the President’s security officials decided to shift the landing site to Pramadam late last night. Since this decision was made at the last minute, there was not enough time to properly install the new concrete helipad.”
Public Works Department (PWD) workers laid concrete on the helipad overnight under the supervision and direction of the President’s security officials. He said, “They prepared a solid landing surface and properly marked the area.”
However, during landing, the pilot landed about five feet away from the marked area, on a section of concrete that had not yet hardened. After the President landed safely, the helicopter was attempted to be moved forward slightly, during which one of its wheels got stuck in the soft concrete.
The DGP said, “Police and fire personnel present at the scene pushed the helicopter back into the marked area. This was a minor operational problem caused by the soft concrete, not a security lapse.”
He stressed that the incident was due to late-night concreting, not due to any lapse in coordination or security. He reiterated, “The helipad was prepared exactly where the security team had indicated. The police had no role in the construction or site selection.”
The concrete surface was completed early in the morning, just hours before the President’s arrival at 8:40 am. The DGP explained that it usually takes at least 12 hours for the concrete to fully harden.
President Murmu arrived at the Pramadam Stadium Ground by helicopter and then traveled by road to Pamba, where she bathed in the Pamba River and offered prayers at the Ganapathy Temple before beginning her journey to Sabarimala with Irumudikettu.
Accompanied by a convoy of security and pilot vehicles, the President reached Sabarimala Sannidhanam in 20 minutes, traversing the steep and hilly terrain on Swami Ayyappan Road.
At the temple, President Murmu climbed the sacred 18 steps and had darshan of Lord Ayyappa. The Poornakumbam was accompanied by Tantri Kandararu Mahesh Mohanar, Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan, Travancore Devaswom Board Chairman P.S. Prashanth, and Secretary M.G. He was welcomed by senior officials, including Rajamanickam. After the rituals, the President rested briefly at the Devaswom Guest House in Sannidhanam.
