Delhi Airport roof collapse spurs nationwide airport inspections

The Indian government has initiated a comprehensive inspection of structural integrity across all airports nationwide. (PTI)

Due to the collapse of a roof at Terminal 1 of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), the Indian government has initiated a comprehensive inspection of structural integrity across all airports nationwide. The incident, which occurred early Friday morning during heavy rains, resulted in one fatality and injuries to several others, prompting immediate action by authorities.

Also ReadDelhi Airport Terminal 1 Roof Collapse: Operations suspended at T1, airlines redirect flights to T2, T3

Disruption at Terminal 1 and Flight Cancellations

The collapsed roof disrupted operations at Terminal 1, primarily used by IndiGo and SpiceJet for domestic flights, leading to over 100 flight cancellations. In response, affected flights were redirected to Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 of IGIA.

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu chaired a review meeting following the incident, where it was decided to establish a 24×7 operational war room at T2 and T3 to manage passenger services efficiently. The ministry emphasized that airlines should maintain normal airfare rates for Delhi flights amidst the disruptions.

Structural Assessment and Inspections

Structural engineers from IIT Delhi have been tasked with assessing the structural damage at Terminal 1’s old departure forecourt. Meanwhile, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has issued directives for immediate inspections at all minor and major airports nationwide. These inspections, expected to conclude within 2-5 days, will provide crucial insights into safety measures and inform long-term policies to prevent future incidents.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and a technical committee established by Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) will conduct separate investigations into the roof collapse to ascertain the causes and ensure accountability.

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The government’s proactive measures aim to safeguard passenger safety and operational integrity across India’s aviation infrastructure, underscoring the critical need for robust structural maintenance and regulatory oversight in the aftermath of this tragic event.