New Delhi:

Expressing his condolences to the family of the taxi driver who was killed after a portion of the roof collapsed at Delhi Airport’s Terminal 1 on Friday morning, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has said that the ministry swung into action immediately and everyone was evacuated from the terminal as a precautionary measure.

Speaking exclusively to NDTV, Mr Naidu – who took charge of the ministry on June 13 – also listed the steps that the government is taking to ensure that the tragedy does not happen again and emphasised that the safety and comfort of passengers is his top priority.

The cab driver was killed and five others were injured in the collapse, which occurred around 5.30 am at Terminal 1 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport, which is one of the world’s busiest airports. Operations were stopped at the terminal for the rest of the day, leading to IndiGo and SpiceJet, the only two airlines that operate from there, cancelling some flights and moving others to Terminals 2 and 3. 

“It is an unfortunate accident, especially in the very early days of me taking charge of the ministry. As soon as I knew that such an incident happened, I wanted to rush to the airport. It was a little challenging at the time considering there was heavy rain and there was traffic congestion across Delhi, but one thing I have to mention is the kind of encouragement I got from PM Narendra Modi. He called me immediately and gave me the encouragement and guidance on how to handle such a crisis,” Mr Naidu, who went to the airport soon after the accident, said.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader said the injured were rushed to hospitals immediately and the ministry is ensuring that proper medical care is given to them. 

“One of the first things we did was to evacuate the entire building as a precautionary measure. All flight operations from T1 were also stopped and, to avoid passenger inconvenience, we transferred all the traffic to T2 and T3, where additional manpower was provided,” he said.

War Room

Sharing details of a review meeting he had with the Civil Aviation secretary and officials of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Airports Authority of India, among others, the minister said a 24X7 war room has been set up so that passengers can get refunds within seven days or an “alternate choice of travel”. Helpline numbers have also been given.

Highlighting the advisory to airlines against raising airfares on routes to and from Delhi, the minister said the focus is also on trying to find out why the collapse happened. 

IIT Team

When it was pointed out to him that a portion of the canopy at the Jabalpur airport had also fallen on Thursday, Mr Naidu said, “There have been two back-to-back incidents and we were very concerned. A structural engineering team from IIT Delhi has also been brought in to investigate… A team is also being sent to Jabalpur. All of the nearly 157 airports in the country will see a structural inspection being done. I have asked for a report on my table within two to five days.”

“When we get the reports, we will see what needs to be done, whether it is regulation or a policy framework. Passenger convenience and safety has been my motto right from day one of taking charge of the ministry,” he assured. 

When he was asked about visiting the injured in the hospital and thanking the staff members involved in the rescue operation, Mr Naidu said he had done so because he was concerned and also wanted to express his gratitude. 

“I wanted to give that sense of confidence that the government is there for them and the minister is there for them. It’s through these gestures that I want to send a message to the people of the country that the Civil Aviation Ministry is your ministry; we care and we are listening to you,” he said.

‘Political Brownie Points’

On the opposition claiming that the roof fell in the terminal that was inaugurated by PM Modi three months ago, Mr Naidu stressed that this was not the case. 

“This is fake news. The collapse happened in a part of a building that was constructed and inaugurated in 2009. This is not an excuse, but linking it to the inauguration is totally fake news. I don’t think this is where people should try to score political brownie points… I wanted to see political maturity,” he said.   

New Delhi:

The Civil Aviation Ministry, in an advisory this evening, has asked airlines to ensure there are no “abnormal surcharges” on flights to and from Delhi. This as Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport’s Terminal 1 was forced to suspend operations after a portion of the roof in the departure complex collapsed.

“In view of the unfortunate incident at Terminal T1D IGIA, Delhi, all airlines are advised to monitor any abnormal surge in airfares to and from Delhi and take necessary action regarding the same. Further, cancellations and rescheduling of flights due to the incident may be done without penal charges,” the ministry said in a post on X.

In view of the unfortunate incident at Terminal T1D IGIA, Delhi, all airlines are advised to monitor any abnormal surge in airfares to and from Delhi and take necessary action regarding the same.

— MoCA_GoI (@MoCA_GoI) June 28, 2024

Earlier, the ministry had suspended all departures from Terminal 1, which handles around 1,400 domestic flights daily, till midnight.

Around 5 am today, the roof sheet and the pillars supporting them came crashing down, killing one person, injuring at least six others, and affecting flight ops in one of the world’s busiest airports.

With operations hit and flights cancelled, the civil aviation ministry promptly stepped in to ensure passengers were not charged more on the Delhi route.

Low-cost carriers IndiGo and SpiceJet, which operate their domestic flights from Terminal 1, have cancelled several flights and temporarily moved other operations to Terminals 2 and 3.

Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu rushed to the airport this morning and inspected the damage and rescue efforts.

“Following the collapse of the Delhi T1 terminal this morning, I have personally inspected the site. Our immediate priority was the safe evacuation of all passengers from the terminal,” Mr Kinjarapu said, adding that he would see that a thorough examination of the terminal’s structure is conducted by experts to ensure safety.

Heavy Rain In Delhi

Delhi received heavy rain for the second consecutive day today, bringing much-need respite from an unprecedented months-long heatwave. The national capital logged nearly 230 mm of rainfall between 8:30 am on Thursday and 8:30 am today, marking the highest 24-hour rainfall in June since 1936.

The torrential downpour brought life to a standstill in several parts of the National Capital Region. Visuals showed inundated roads, long meandering traffic in most areas of the city, submerged cars vehicles, and stranded people on the roads.

Monsoon In Delhi Soon

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The monsoon is set to arrive in Delhi by the end of this week, the IMD said.

Last year, monsoon hit Delhi on June 26.

New Delhi:

Following the roof collapse at Terminal-1 of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport today, the Centre will conduct a thorough check of all the airports in the country.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, who visited the Terminal-1 site soon after the incident, said, “We will conduct a thorough check on all the airports that come under our purview…we will make the necessary report and see if there is a requirement for an independent body for this.”

At least one person died and four others were injured when a canopy at Terminal 1 collapsed on Friday amid heavy rain.

After inspecting the spot, the minister said, “We have asked the Delhi International Airport Limited to do a verification and inspection from their side. But we are not leaving it up to them. From the Ministry, we have the DGCA, which underlooks the safety aspect, which will be supervising this inspection and will submit its report.”

“From the ministry side, I can assure you that this is taken as a serious issue, not just in this airport but all across the country, with similar structures,” the minister said.

While giving details of the incident, the minister said, “Today morning at 5, a very unfortunate incident happened at IGI Airport Terminal-1, when a section of the canopy outside of the Airport building collapsed due to heavy rain since night. I express my condolences to the life that has been lost in this tragic incident, and along with that, we are taking care of the four people who are injured. As soon as the incident came to our notice, we reacted immediately, we sent the emergency response team, safety team, CISF and NDRF teams for a thorough inspection to ensure no other casualties were there.”

The minister further said, “…we have informed the airlines that passengers should not face any inconvenience…The passengers will get full refunds and other than that if they want to travel from the alternative routes, they will be assisted.”
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Passengers affected by the shutdown of Terminal 1 of the Delhi Airport till 2 pm today following a roof collapse will get a full refund, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said, adding that aviation regulator DGCA will thoroughly examine the matter.

The roof collapse outside the departure gates is a “very serious incident”, the minister said as he oversaw rescue operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.

At least one person was killed and four others injured in the tragic incident around 5 am amid heavy rains.

“This morning at 5, a very unfortunate incident happened at IGI Airport Terminal-1, when a section of the canopy outside the airport building collapsed due to heavy rain all night. I express my condolences to the life that has been lost in this tragic incident, and along with that, we are taking care of the four people who are injured. As soon as the incident came to our notice, we reacted immediately and sent the emergency response team, safety team, CISF, and NDRF teams for a thorough inspection to ensure no other casualties were there,” the minister said.

“As of now, the rest of the terminal building has been closed. Regarding the flights, we have informed the airlines that passengers should not face any inconvenience and all flights till 2 pm have been cancelled. Passengers will get a full refund and if they want to travel on alternative routes, they will be assisted.”

Many vehicles, including taxis, were damaged in the roof collapse. A canopy sheet and the support beams outside the Terminal complex came crashing down on cars bringing passengers to the airport and damaged vehicles parked in the pick-up and drop-off area of the terminal.

All departures from Terminal 1 have been suspended till 2 pm, and check-in counters have been shut as a “safety measure”, a Delhi airport spokesperson said. Terminal 1 only operates domestic flights.

New Delhi:

Flight operations of airlines like IndiGo and SpiceJet have been impacted after a roof collapsed at Terminal 1 of Delhi airport, on Friday morning, leaving six people injured and one dead.

After the incident, airlines issued a press statement informing passengers that, because of the structural damage to Terminal 1 and adverse weather conditions, several flights had been cancelled and advised passengers to keep track of and confirm their flight status.

IndiGo in a statement, said, “IndiGo flight operations are impacted due to structural damage to Terminal 1, Delhi Airport because of adverse weather conditions. This has led to flight cancellations at 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.”

“This unplanned situation has also led to operations across the network being impacted. Customers are advised to keep a track of and confirm their flight status before leaving for the airport. IndiGo passengers can call 0124 6173838 or 0124 4973838 to seek assistance regarding their travel plans. We regret the inconvenience caused to the passengers,” added IndiGo’s statement.

While SpiceJet in its statement, said, “Due to bad weather (heavy rains), SpiceJet flights have been cancelled as Terminal 1 of Delhi Airport will remain partially closed for operations until further notice. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. Please contact us at +91 (0)124 4983410/+91 (0)124 7101600 for alternate options or full refund. Please keep a watch on our Social Media channels for further updates.”

Meanwhile, a Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) spokesperson stated, “Due to heavy rain since early this morning, a portion of the canopy at the old departure forecourt of Delhi Airport’s Terminal 1 collapsed around 5 am. There are injuries reported, and emergency personnel are working to provide all necessary assistance and medical aid to those affected.”

“As a result of this incident, all departures from Terminal 1 are temporarily suspended, and check-in counters are closed as a safety measure. We sincerely regret this disruption and apologise for any inconvenience caused,” DIAL said.

Informing about the incident, Delhi Police said that traffic going to T1 departure from Indira Gandhi International Airport has been diverted at the CISF check post toward the Arrival of T1.

Several cars were hit by parts of the roof that collapsed on them at Terminal 1 of Delhi Airport, as per a fire official on Friday. Upon receiving the information, around three fire tenders rushed to the spot.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

At least one person was killed and eight others injured after a portion of the roof of the Delhi airport’s Terminal-1 collapsed on cars amid heavy rain this morning. All departures from Terminal 1 have been temporarily suspended, and check-in counters closed as a “safety measure”, a Delhi airport spokesperson said. Terminal-1 has only domestic flight operations.

The spokesperson also said that all departing flights from T1 of IndiGo and SpiceJet are cancelled till 2 pm today.

Many vehicles, including cabs, were damaged in the incident that was reported to the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) around 5.30 am. The officials said the roof sheet and the support beams collapsed, damaging the cars parked in the pick-up and drop area of the terminal at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world.

During the rescue operations, a man was taken out from a car on which an iron beam had fallen.

In an official statement, Delhi airport said that a portion of the canopy at the old Departure forecourt of Delhi Airport’s Terminal 1 collapsed “due to heavy rain since early this morning”.

“There are injuries reported, and emergency personnel are working to provide all necessary assistance and medical aid to those affected. As a result of this incident, all departures from Terminal 1 are temporarily suspended, and check-in counters are closed as a safety measure. We sincerely regret this disruption and apologize for any inconvenience caused,” the statement read.

Terminal 1 Incident pic.twitter.com/Dv9Sir5l4p

— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) June 28, 2024

Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said he was “personally monitoring” the roof collapse incident at the Delhi airport and that the injured have been hospitalised.

“First responders are working at the site. Also advised the airlines to assist all affected passengers at T1. The injured have been evacuated to hospital,” the newly-elected minister posted on X.

Personally monitoring the roof collapse incident at T1 Delhi Airport. First responders are working at site. Also advised the airlines to assist all affected passengers at T1. The injured have been evacuated to hospital. Rescue operations are still ongoing.

— Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) June 28, 2024

Indigo Cancels Flights As Roof Collapses At Delhi Airport

IndiGo said that its flight operations were impacted due to structural damage to Terminal 1 at Delhi Airport. In a statement, the low-cost carrier said that the incident 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,” an IndiGo spokesperson said.

“This unplanned situation has also led to operations across the network being impacted. Customers are advised to keep track of and confirm their flight status before leaving for the airport,” the statement added.

Heavy Rain In Delhi

Delhi today received heavy rain for the second consecutive day. Rain, which brought respite from the scorching heat, also caused waterlogging in several parts of the national capital.

Visuals shared by the news agency ANI on X showed roads inundated and long traffic in parts of Delhi. 

#WATCH | Delhi: Roads inundated as heavy rain continues in parts of National Capital

(Visuals from Govindpuri) pic.twitter.com/9idnGwx0nb

— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2024

A car was also seen submerged at Minto Road.

#WATCH | A car submerged in water and roads heavily flooded due to continuous downpour in Delhi

(Visuals from Minto Road) pic.twitter.com/reJQPlzfbQ

— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2024

The Safdarjung Observatory, the capital’s primary weather station, recorded 154 mm of rainfall between yesterday and today morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

On Thursday, rain in Delhi brought the temperature down to 35.4 degrees Celsius.