NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Civil Aviation responded to the collapse of a canopy at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) Terminal 1 early Friday morning, which claimed one life and left several injured.
Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu visited the site, expressing condolences and announcing compensation for the affected families.
He announced compensation of Rs 20 lakh for the deceased and Rs 3 lakh each for the injured, emphasizing immediate support to those affected.
“We will conduct a thorough inspection of all airports under our purview to ensure such incidents do not recur,” Minister Kinjarapu stated, highlighting the seriousness with which safety measures are being addressed.
The canopy, constructed in 2009, collapsed at the departure area of Terminal 1, affecting operations significantly. Consequently, flight departures were suspended, and efforts were underway to shift operations to Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 to minimize disruption.
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Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), responsible for airport operations, acknowledged the incident and assured full cooperation in the investigation. “The safety of passengers and airport personnel is our top priority,” a DIAL spokesperson affirmed, noting the temporary closure of Terminal 1’s departures and the ongoing safety inspections.
Minister Kinjarapu underscored the need for a comprehensive investigation into the incident, involving Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) oversight, to ascertain the causes and prevent future occurrences. “This incident will be thoroughly examined to understand the technical and structural aspects,” he added.
In response to the incident, the Ministry of Civil Aviation directed airlines to provide full refunds to affected passengers and facilitate alternative travel arrangements where possible. The closure of Terminal 1’s operations until further notice was deemed necessary for ensuring public safety.
The tragic event drew attention to the vulnerability of older structures amidst adverse weather conditions, prompting calls for stringent safety audits across all airports nationwide. The government remains committed to enhancing infrastructure resilience and emergency preparedness in light of such unforeseen incidents.
As investigations continue, authorities are focused on restoring normalcy at Delhi Airport while ensuring stringent safety protocols are observed. Passengers and airport stakeholders have been urged to cooperate during this challenging period, with updates on flight operations expected as inspections progress.