Civil Aviation Minister Reviews Delhi Airport Operations After Roof Collapse

Following the tragic roof collapse at Terminal 1 (T1) of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in Delhi, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu visited the Airport Operations Control Centre (AOCC) to evaluate the current situation. All departing flights have been moved to Terminals 2 (T2) and 3 (T3) as a result of the incident.

Minister Naidu held a meeting with senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), and representatives from various airlines. The main focus of the discussions was to ensure smooth operations and a good passenger experience during this transition period. (Photo: X/@RamMNK)

“The DGCA has confirmed the activation of war rooms to facilitate close coordination between DIAL and the airlines,” Naidu mentioned in a post on X.

This step aims to ensure timely communication and address any challenges due to the increased passenger volume at T2 and T3. (Photo: X/@RamMNK)

During the meeting, the Union Minister emphasized the importance of maintaining the highest safety standards for passengers. He advised all stakeholders to prioritize passenger well-being and work together to provide a seamless travel experience. (Photo: X/@RamMNK)

The review follows the collapse of a portion of the T1 departure area’s canopy due to heavy rainfall last Friday. The incident resulted in the death of a cab driver and injuries to several other people.

Delhi Police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) under sections related to death by negligence. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the collapse.

T1 remains closed as authorities continue to remove debris and conduct a full structural assessment. All departing flights are currently operating from T2 and T3.

To prevent future incidents, Naidu announced that a special team from IIT Delhi’s structural engineering department would conduct an initial inspection. He also instructed airlines to ensure there is no abnormal surge in airfare.

“We don’t want a similar incident to happen again, so we have asked for inspection reports from all airports across the country within 2-5 days. Based on these reports, we will take necessary actions to prevent such incidents,” he previously stated.