Tension arose at the grounds of the Giriraj Government Degree College in Nizamabad today when some stalls and welcome arches, erected for the Rythu Mahotsavam event, were damaged after a helicopter carrying ministers landed on the site.
The three-day Rythu Mahotsavam was set to begin in Nizamabad today. Officials had been notified in advance that ministers Thummala Nageswara Rao, Jupally Krishna Rao and Uttam Kumar Reddy would be arriving by helicopter. To accommodate this, a helipad was established a short distance from the event venue for the chopper's arrival.
However, the pilot unexpectedly chose to land the helicopter directly within the premises. This led to a significant amount of dust being stirred up by draught from the chopper's blades. As a result, the welcome arches at the venue collapsed, causing attendees to flee the area.
Fortunately, the ministers did not suffer any serious injuries. However, several of the 150 stalls showcasing agricultural products were toppled.
Reports indicate that the police who were present to ensure security sustained minor injuries. However, officials assured that there were no major incidents.
It's also worth noting that Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy had a near-miss last week while arriving in Nagar Kurnool by helicopter for the Bhu Bharathi Act-2025 program. While the helicopter was landing at the Collectorate, a gunshot was fired as a signal, igniting a fire in the dry grass surrounding the helipad. Fire and police personnel quickly extinguished the flames, and the helicopter landed without further incident.