Chaos unleashed: Terminal collapse at Delhi Airport—What’s being done?

In a shocking turn of events, the roof of Terminal 1 at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport collapsed on Friday, prompting an immediate high-level review meeting by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu. The incident, which resulted in one fatality and several injuries, occurred amid heavy rainfall, challenging the structural integrity of the airport’s facilities.

During the emergency meeting, key decisions were made to establish a 24/7 War Room to manage the situation and facilitate passenger comfort during the upheaval. The Civil Aviation Minister emphasized the importance of maintaining fare stability and instructed all airlines to avoid hiking prices unfairly during this crisis. Additionally, a comprehensive inspection of structural strength across all terminals was mandated to prevent future incidents.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has been directed to oversee the structural inspections, which are to be completed urgently. The outcomes of these inspections will guide the formulation of new safety protocols and policies aimed at bolstering the resilience of airport infrastructure nationwide.

A Technical Committee has been established by the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) to investigate the cause of the collapse, with initial reports suggesting that the severe weather conditions were a contributing factor. The Delhi Fire Services responded swiftly to the incident, ensuring that the injured received immediate medical attention.

This incident underscores the critical need for continuous assessment and enhancement of safety standards at major transportation hubs. It highlights the dynamic challenges facing airport management in dealing with natural calamities and the importance of proactive safety measures.