Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Visits Delhi Airport After Canopy Collapse Incident
New Delhi, India – Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu, visited the Airport Operations Control Centre (AOCC) at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport to review operations after a canopy collapse incident at Terminal 1.
Meeting with Officials
Minister Naidu held a meeting with senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, DGCA, BCAS, DIAL, and airline operators. The focus was on reviewing current operations and passenger handling following the transition of flights from Terminal 1 to Terminals 2 and 3. Discussions included ensuring smooth functioning and deploying additional manpower to manage increased passenger flow.
War Rooms and Safety Measures
The DGCA confirmed the activation of war rooms to facilitate close coordination between DIAL and the airlines. Minister Naidu advised all stakeholders to maintain rigorous standards to ensure seamless operations and prioritize passenger safety. He was informed about the total number of passengers impacted and the facilities provided, such as accommodation for alternate flights and refunds.
Canopy Collapse Incident
The canopy collapse at Terminal 1 resulted in one death and eight injuries. Minister Naidu expressed his condolences and assured that proactive measures would be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. Emergency response teams, including NDRF and CISF, were immediately deployed to manage the situation.
Future Precautions
To prevent similar incidents, a special team from IIT Delhi’s structural engineering department will provide an initial inspection report. A structural preliminary inspection will be conducted at all airports, and reports will be sought within two to five days to determine necessary measures.
Terminal 1 Operations Suspended
Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) announced that operations at Terminal 1 will remain suspended until further notice. All flights have been temporarily shifted to Terminals 2 and 3, impacting around 21,690 passengers of IndiGo and 925 passengers of SpiceJet.
