President Pranab Mukherjee's helicopter develops technical snag

CHENNAI: An Air Force helicopter that was to take President Pranab Mukherjee to Puducherry developed technical problem before take off from here today.


The President, who is to attend convocation function of the Pondichery University and later visit the Aurobindo Ashram, was accommodated in another Mi-17 helicopter.

Of the three Mi-17 helicopters, two later flew to Puducherry.

The departure of the President from here was delayed by about an hour due to the problem.

Three IAF choppers-- one from Bangalore and two from Guwhati were stationed at the airport here.

Moments after the President boarded one of the choppers, the problem was noticed and he disembarked.