Security goes into a tizzy

President Pratibha Patil's helicopter developed a snag before take off in Kerala on Wednesday, giving anxious moments to security personnel. HT reports.

President Pratibha Patil's helicopter developed a snag before take off in Kerala on Wednesday, giving anxious moments to security personnel.

HT Image

Patil, who had reached Kollam 'Aashram maidan' at 10am to leave for Thiruvananthapuram, was asked by authorities to disembark from the Indian Air Force (IAF) chopper after light smoke billowed out of the air conditioning duct. She had to wait more than half-an-hour before leaving for Thiruvananthapuram in another chopper arranged by the IAF.

Patil had arrived in Kollam on August 29 and inaugurated the first President's Trophy boat race at the Ashtamudi lake on Tuesday.