In a third such incident within three days, a canopy at the passenger pickup and drop area outside Rajkot Airport, Gujarat, collapsed on Saturday amid heavy rainfall.
Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or casualties, according to preliminary information.
This event follows a similar incident at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal-1, where a roof collapse on Friday resulted in the death of a 45-year-old cab driver and left eight others injured.
The Delhi Airport mishap has led to the indefinite suspension of operations from Terminal 1, which manages approximately 200 flights daily. Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) reported that the partial collapse occurred around 5 a.m., likely due to heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu has responded to the Delhi incident by announcing compensation of ₹20 lakh for the family of the deceased and ₹3 lakh each for those injured.
Additionally, the ministry has ordered a preliminary structural inspection of all airports nationwide to prevent further occurrences.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under sections 304A (death by negligence) and 337 (causing hurt by an act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code.
In Gujarat, heavy rainfall continues as the southwest monsoon progresses further into the state.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in several areas, prompting the deployment of seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams in Kutch, Rajkot, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Gir Somnath, Bhavnagar, Narmada, and Valsad districts.
A similar canopy collapse occurred on Thursday at Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur airport. A fabric canopy failed under the weight of accumulated rainwater, crushing a parked car beneath. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
This terminal, worth ₹450 crore, was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 10.
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