- By Nidhi Giri
- Fri, 28 Jun 2024 03:00 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Delhi Rains: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday said that the roof structure that collapsed at Delhi airport’s Terminal 1 (T1) will be examined, following which a report shall be submitted to the Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu. In a major relief from the scorching heat, heavy rains lashed Delhi-NCR today bringing the minimum temperature to below 30 degrees Celsius. However, the rain relief also brought devastating conditions for the Delhiites, with the incident at T1 killing one person and leaving several others injured. The overnight rains in Delhi inundated many parts of the city with water entering homes, submerging vehicles and leading to long traffic snarls.
The roof collapse incident happened around 5 am at the departure area of Terminal 1 IGI Airport. T1 has only domestic flight operations by IndiGo and SpiceJet. The airport -- which has three terminals T1, T2 and T3 -- handles around 1,400 flight movements daily.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu visited the airport to take stock of the situation and also met with the injured people admitted at the Safdarjung Hospital in the national capital
The minister also announced that all passengers affected by the shutdown of Terminal 1 will get a full refund or will get an option to rebook on alternative flights and routes. He further said that aviation regulator DGCA would thoroughly examine the matter, terming the roof collapse at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport a "very serious incident".
Speaking to media persons, the minister said the terminal has been temporarily shut for operations till tomorrow.
“This structure that collapsed is not a part of the expanded terminal that was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March. We have asked DIAL to conduct a verification from their side. But we are not leaving it to them, the DGCA will also supervise the inspection and give us a report,” Naidu said.
“Since it is monsoon season, all the airports with civil structures will be looked at again and we will do thorough checks at such airports,” the minister added.
K Rammohan Naidu has announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh to the kin of the deceased, while the injured will be given Rs 3 lakh each.
Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Friday that the monsoon has arrived in Delhi-NCR, bringing an end to a prolonged and severe heatwave. This early arrival of the monsoon has brought cheer to the residents, who have been eagerly awaiting the onset of the rainy season to provide respite from the scorching heat.
