SRINAGAR: President Droupadi Murmu’s helicopter became temporarily immobilised on a freshly laid helipad at Pramadam, near Pathanamthitta, on Wednesday morning, as per NDTV report.
The chopper safely touched down at the new helipad at around 9:05 a.m., but its tyres sank slightly into the recently completed concrete shortly after the President disembarked. The aircraft was later freed by police and fire and rescue personnel.
Officials confirmed that the Pramadam Indoor Stadium helipad had been completed only hours before the presidential flight’s arrival. The President’s original landing was scheduled at Nilackal, but poor weather conditions prompted a last-minute change.
From Pramadam, President Murmu continued her journey to Pampa by road. There, she will perform the traditional cleansing ritual by washing her feet instead of taking a dip in the river. She is also set to prepare the irumudi at Ganapathy Temple before proceeding to Sannidhanam in a Gurkha emergency four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Accompanied by a six-vehicle escort, the President is expected to reach Sannidhanam around 11:50 a.m., where she will be welcomed with a poornakumbh ceremony by Tantri Kandaru Mahesh Mohanaru. She will then ascend the 18 sacred steps (pathinettampadi) to offer prayers to Lord Ayyappa, after which she will rest at the Devaswom guest house before returning to Pramadam later in the afternoon.
Authorities have restricted pilgrim access beyond Nilackal until the President completes her visit and departs.
