DELHI AIRPORT ROOF COLLAPSE: AVIATION MINISTER PROMISES 'STRICT ACTION AGAINST THOSE RESPONSIBLE', FACT CHECKS OPPOSITION
New Delhi: One person died and at least six people were injured after a portion of the roof of the Delhi airport collapsed following heavy rain in the national capital. The incident has led to suspension of flight departures from the airport till 2 pm. The structure that collapsed at Terminal-1 airport
was built in 2009, officials told Times Now.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has promised strict action if any lapses are found in connection with the incident. The minister has also instructed officials to file an FIR to hold those responsible accountable. Naidu has announced Rs 20 lakh compensation for the deceased and Rs 3 lakh for the injured.
The shed outside Terminal 1 of domestic airport, spanning from Departure Gate No. 1 to Gate No. 2, collapsed reportedly collapsed at around 5 am. A driver died and around six persons suffered injuries as the roof collpased on four vehicles parked in the pick-up and drop area of the terminal, officials said. All injured persons are stable, they added.
"We express our condolence to the life that has been lost in this tragic incident, four people have also been injured. So we are taking care of them right now. We immediately sent the emergency response team, the fire safety team and also the CISF, NDRF teams. Everyone was available at the site and they have done thorough inspection so that no other casualties are there. So right now the situation is under control. The rest of the terminal building has been closed and everything is being thoroughly inspected so that there is no further untoward incident here," Naidu told reporters after inspecting the damage at the airport.
The minister also accused the Congress and Trinamool Congress of making false claims over the incident. "This structure was made in 2009. It wasn’t inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March this year as is being claimed by opposition parties," he said.
The clarification came after opposition leaders claimed that the terminal was inaugurated by the prime minister. "BJP's and PM Modi's corruption is now visible to everyone. He inaugurated the same terminal. A senior minister’s car could also have been there," said Congress leader Surendra Singh Rajput, according to news agency PTI.
Teams of Delhi Police, DFS, Central Industrial Security Force and National Disaster Response Force are present at the spot, Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI) Usha Rangnani said.
Sources said airport operator is looking to temporarily shift operations from T1 - currently suspended till 2 pm - to T2 and T3.
In a statement, an IndiGo spokesperson said flight operations are impacted due to structural damage at T1 due to adverse weather conditions.
"This has led to flight cancellations in Delhi as passengers are not able to enter the terminal. Passengers already inside the terminal will be able to board their planned flights, but those with flights later in the day will be offered alternatives," the airline said in a statement.
SpiceJet said in a post on X that flights have been cancelled as T1 will remain partially closed for operations until further notice.
2024-06-28T05:49:11Z dg43tfdfdgfd