Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu announced on Friday that an investigation has been launched into the canopy collapse incident at Delhi Airport’s Terminal 1. Heavy rain caused a portion of the canopy to collapse early Friday morning, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to several others.
Minister Kinjarapu stated that experts from the department will be brought in to thoroughly investigate the incident. Based on the findings of the investigation, appropriate action will be taken. He emphasised that the safety of all airport buildings across the country would be reviewed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
A review meeting was scheduled for today, and the Minister announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh for the family of the deceased and Rs 3 lakh each for the injured. He assured that the injured individuals, currently receiving treatment at the hospital, are being well cared for. He clarified that the collapsed building was an older structure inaugurated in 2009, not the one recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Earlier, Minister Kinjarapu issued a statement regarding the canopy collapse, mentioning that Prime Minister Modi is closely monitoring the situation and has assured full support.
The immediate priority was the safe evacuation of all passengers from the terminal. Consequently, all flights scheduled until 2 PM were cancelled, with passengers receiving full refunds or options to rebook on alternative flights and routes. Flights scheduled to depart after 2 PM were redirected to Terminals 2 and 3.
The Minister noted that a thorough examination of the terminal's structure is being conducted by experts to ensure safety. Various agencies, including DGCA, BCAS, CISF, Delhi Police, and NDRE, are working in close coordination to manage the situation effectively. He reiterated the commitment to providing compensation to the affected families and those injured.
Minister Kinjarapu also visited Safdarjung and AIIMS hospitals in Delhi to meet with the injured individuals. When asked about the possibility of additional patients requiring treatment, he mentioned that there was no such information at the moment but that they were prepared to receive more patients if necessary.
This incident highlights the importance of stringent safety measures and regular inspections to ensure the structural integrity of public buildings, especially those as critical as airport terminals.
The government’s swift response and commitment to investigating the cause of the collapse aim to prevent future occurrences and ensure the safety of travellers.
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