TBM Staff - Mumbai
The Delhi airport roof collapse that killed one person and injured six others was a “very serious incident”, according to Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu. The minister stated that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will thoroughly investigate the matter.
The canopy and a large metal beam at the pick-up and drop area outside Delhi airport’s Terminal 1 collapsed during heavy rain this morning. As a result, the airport closed flights operating from Terminal 1. Minister Naidu assured that passengers whose flights have been cancelled will receive full refunds.
When reporters noted that some of the beams appeared to be rusted, Minister Naidu responded that it is too early to comment on the cause. He stated that the airport administration has been instructed to conduct checks, while the ministry and DGCA will also investigate separately.
Government sources revealed that the Terminal 1 canopy that collapsed today was built in 2008-09 under a contract awarded by GMR to private contractors. Soon after the incident, Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleged that the affected terminal was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, Minister Naidu clarified that PM Modi had inaugurated a different building, not Terminal 1, which was built during the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government’s tenure.
