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Journalism of Courage
President Droupadi Murmu had to take a 90-km road trip from Vadodara on Wednesday due to a possible technical snag in landing at the helipad in Ekta Nagar (formerly Kevadia) in Narmada district. Her four-day visit to Gujarat began with a delay in arrival and cancellation of scheduled events at Statue of Unity.
While officials of Vadodara airport confirmed that the helicopter that was to fly the President returned from Ekta Nagar “after aborting landing attempt” on Wednesday evening, they did not confirm she was on the helicopter. Officials confirmed that the helicopter carrying Murmu had arrived near the Kevadia helipad at its scheduled time of 5.15 pm but “returned mid-way, aborting landing” to return to Vadodara airport.
Following the snag in the helicopter landing, President Murmu’s convoy left Vadodara post 6pm to travel to Ekta Nagar. Vadodara Commissioner of Police Narasimha Komar told The Indian Express, “Yes, the President has left (from Vadodara) by road. We had kept the convoy of vehicles & security box in readiness as per the Alternate Security Plan.”
During her two-day visit to Ekta Nagar, starting Wednesday, President Murmu was to visit the Statue of Unity, watch the laser show and attend the Narmada aarti on the Gora bank of Narmada river. However, the schedule was called off.
At Vadodara airport, the President was welcomed by Governor Acharya Devvrut, Minister Jagdish Vishwakarma, Mayor Pinky Soni, among others.
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