Here are the key details of how a helipad collapsed shortly after the landing of Draupadi Murmu’s helicopter in Kerala — along with why it happened and what it implies:
📰 What happened
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On Wednesday, during President Murmu’s official visit to Kerala (specifically the district of Pathanamthitta, en route to the Sabarimala temple area), her helicopter landed at a newly - constructed helipad at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in the locality of Pramadam. (Hindustan Times)
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After touchdown, the wheels of the helicopter sank partially into depressions in the concrete surface of the helipad — effectively parts of the pad gave way under the weight. (www.ndtv.com)
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Personnel including police and fire-department workers were seen physically pushing the helicopter’s wheels out of the depressed areas. (Hindustan Times)
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Fortunately, no injuries or major damage to the President were reported. (The Times of India)
🔍 Why did it collapse / fail
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The landing site was changed at the last moment: originally the plan was for the helicopter to land at Nilackal near Pamba, but due to bad weather the site was shifted to Pramadam. (www.ndtv.com)
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Because of the sudden change and tight time constraints, the helipad at the stadium was constructed overnight (or very rapidly) with fresh concrete. A senior police officer said the concrete had not fully set/cured before the landing took place. (Hindustan Times)
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As a result, the concrete surface was unable to bear the weight and pressure of the helicopter’s wheels arriving on it: the wheels caused depressions or sinking into the pad where it hadn’t fully hardened. (www.ndtv.com)
✅ Implications / concerns
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This incident raises serious questions about the planning and safety protocols for high-profile helicopter landings: the structural readiness of the helipad, the adequacy of quality control, and last‐minute changes to site selection.
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It suggests the risk of infrastructure failure when time is short, weather intervenes, and rapid construction occurs under pressure.
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For the President’s security team and the agencies responsible, such a failure—even with no harm done—is a significant operational learning point.
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On a broader note, it underscores the importance of ensuring that infrastructure (especially for VIP movement) isn’t “just put in place” but tested, certified and aligned with best practices.
🧭 What to watch / follow up
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Whether there will be an official inquiry into the helipad’s construction, approval, and preparedness.
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Reports on any corrective action for the stadium/helipad to ensure future landings are safe.
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Any commentary from the state government of Kerala or the agencies (airport/aviation/defence) about how last‐minute changes are handled in future.
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Verification of exactly which contractors, specifications, curing time of concrete and load‐bearing calculations were used (especially since VIP helicopter weight is high).
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Whether other similar temporary helipads or landing sites used in emergencies / weather diversions are now subject to stricter protocols.
If you like, I can pull up and compare other past incidents of helipad/aircraft landing surface failures in India (or globally) — to see how common this kind of failure is, and what best practices exist. Would you like that?
