Blurb
The CM’s helicopter mistakenly landed at MLA Vajjal’s helipad, while Minister Jarkiholi’s helicopter landed at the CM’s designated helipad due to pilot confusion
Raichur
Confusion prevailed in Lingasugur town on Sunday after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s helicopter landed at a location different from the designated helipad, creating brief chaos among officials and the police.
The Chief Minister had arrived in Lingasugur to attend the wedding of the son of Legislative Council member Sharanagouda Patil of Bayyapur. As per the official plan, the CM’s helicopter was scheduled to land at a private layout helipad on Raichur Road, on the outskirts of the town. All security arrangements and protocol preparations were made at this location.
However, due to pilot confusion, the helicopter instead landed at a private helipad belonging to MLA Manappa Vajjal on Kalaburagi Road. This helipad had actually been prepared for the landing of Minister Satish Jarkiholi’s helicopter. At the same time, Minister Jarkiholi’s helicopter landed at the helipad that was meant for the Chief Minister.
Police personnel and officials, who were waiting to receive the CM with a guard of honour at the Raichur Road helipad, were surprised when the Minister arrived instead. Soon after learning that the Chief Minister had landed at a different location, senior officials rushed to the MLA’s private helipad to ensure security and protocol arrangements.
After the situation was clarified, the Chief Minister’s helicopter later moved to the designated helipad, where it received the official police salute before taking off again. The brief mix-up caused momentary confusion but was resolved without any untoward incident.
Police officials later explained that three helipads had been arranged in Lingasugur for the day, including separate ones for the Chief Minister and other ministers. Due to a misunderstanding by the pilots, the helicopters landed at the wrong helipads. The police stated that the matter was handled smoothly and that there was no security lapse.
