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President’s Helicopter Stuck in Fresh Concrete During Kerala Visit
A major safety lapse occurred during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Kerala when her helicopter’s wheels sank into a newly concreted landing pad. The incident, which took place on October 16 at the Vagator airstrip in North Goa (as per initial reports), raised serious concerns about aviation safety protocols.
Eyewitnesses reported that the Mi-17 V5 helicopter struggled to land smoothly due to the unhardened concrete surface, causing the wheels to partially sink. Despite the scare, President Murmu remained unharmed.
Pilot Skill Averts Major Mishap
Sources from the President’s office confirmed that the pilots managed to stabilize the chopper despite the unstable surface.
“The landing was abrupt, but the crew handled the situation professionally,” said an official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Political Outrage and Demands for Probe
Opposition leaders, including Congress’s Rahul Gandhi, criticized the BJP-led government for alleged negligence.
“This reflects gross mismanagement—how was a VIP landing zone not inspected beforehand?” Gandhi questioned.
Meanwhile, Kerala’s administration has ordered an investigation into the construction quality of the airstrip.
Government’s Response & Safety Review
The Defense Ministry and Kerala authorities assured corrective measures, including:
– Immediate inspection of all VIP helipads.
– Stricter quality checks for runway construction.
– Enhanced pilot training for emergency landings.
President Murmu’s office confirmed she resumed her schedule after a precautionary medical check-up.
Public and Expert Reactions
Aviation experts highlighted that fresh concrete requires 7-10 days to cure before bearing heavy loads. Social media users expressed shock, with #PresidentialSafety trending on X (formerly Twitter).
