Following the deadly roof collapse at Terminal 1 (T1) of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in Delhi, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu visited the Airport Operations Control Centre (AOCC) to assess the current situation and passenger handling after all departing flights were shifted to Terminals 2 (T2) and 3 (T3).
Naidu held a meeting with senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), and airline representatives. Discussions focused on ensuring smooth operations and passenger experience during this transition period.
"The DGCA confirmed the activation of war rooms, facilitating close coordination between DIAL and the airlines," Naidu said in a post on X.
This will ensure timely communication and address any challenges arising from the increased passenger volume at T2 and T3.
During the meeting, the Union Minister underscored the importance of maintaining the highest safety standards for passengers. All stakeholders were advised to prioritise passenger well-being and work collaboratively to provide a seamless travel experience, Naidu said.
The review comes after a portion of the T1 departure area's canopy caved in due to heavy rainfall last Friday. The incident resulted in the death of a cab driver and injuries to several other people.
An FIR (First Information Report) has been filed by Delhi Police under sections related to death by negligence. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the collapse.
T1 remains closed as authorities continue debris removal and a full structural assessment. All departing flights are currently operating from T2 and T3.
To prevent future incidents, Naidu had announced bringing in a special team from IIT Delhi’s structural engineering department for an initial inspection. He had also instructed airlines to ensure there is no abnormal surge in airfare.
"We don’t want a similar incident to happen again, so we have asked for inspection reports from all airports across the country within 2-5 days. Based on these reports, we will take necessary actions to prevent such incidents," he previously said.
