Delhi Airport disaster: What led to the collapse of the roof/canopy

New Delhi: "Terminal 1 has been expanded. The old departure at the forecourt of Delhi Airport's Terminal 1 is a 15-year-old structure and was going to be shut soon. It operates very few domestic flights in a day," a Source from Delhi International Airport Terminal (DAIL) told NewsMeter.

On Friday morning, due to heavy rain, a portion of the canopy collapsed at the old Departure forecourt of Delhi Airport's Terminal 1. A man Ramesh was killed, and eight others injured in the incident. The DAIL officials clarified that it is a Canopy collapse and not a roof collapse.

Four vehicles were damaged, and eight individuals received minor injuries and were provided immediate medical assistance at the Medanta Centre at Delhi Airport.

As a result of this incident, all departures from Terminal 1 have been temporarily suspended, and check-in counters are closed as a safety measure. T1 only operates domestic flights by IndiGo and SpiceJet. The airport, which has three terminals, T1, T2, and T3, handles around 1,400 flight movements daily.

GMR Airports Infrastructure Ltd (GIL)-led DIAL undertook the expansion works of T1 in 2019. In March 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the expanded world-class integrated T1. Most of the domestic flights operating from Terminal 2 have been shifted. The Capital's longest-serving domestic airport has increased its capacity from 17 million passengers per annum (PPA) to 40 million PPA.

Thorough check of all airports

A Technical Committee has been formed by DIAL to investigate the cause of the incident and will give the report as soon as possible.

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said they visited the incident site to monitor the situation. He announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh for the deceased and Rs 3 lakh for the injured.

"This is a 15-year-old structure opened in 2009 and a portion of canopy collapsed at old departure forecourt of Delhi airport's Terminal-1. From the ministry, the DGCA will take supervision on this incident and give a report. Taking this incident seriously, I will see that a thorough examination of the terminal's structure is conducted by experts to ensure safety. In response to this incident, all relevant agencies, including DGCA, BCAS, CISF, Delhi Police, and NDRE have been working in close coordination and putting their best efforts," said the Civil Aviation Minister.

He also gave a clarification that the building inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi is on the other side and the building that collapsed here is an old building and was opened in 2009.

Flights situation

Sources said flight departures at T1, which handles only domestic flight operations, have been suspended until 2 p.m., and the airport operator is looking to temporarily shift operations to T2 and T3. The flight departures were suspended soon after the collapse incident. Passengers who were already inside the terminal boarded their flights.

Passengers will receive full refunds or have the option to rebook on alternative flights and routes. Flights scheduled to depart after 2 PM will be operated from T2 and T3.

The suspension of departures at the terminal also led to the cancellation of some flights.

In a statement, an IndiGo spokesperson said flight operations are impacted due to structural damage at T1 caused by adverse weather conditions. "This has led to flight cancellations in Delhi as passengers are not able to enter the terminal. Passengers already inside the terminal will be able to board their planned flights, but those with flights later in the day will be offered alternatives," the airline said.

SpiceJet said in a post on X that flights have been canceled as T1 will remain partially closed for operations until further notice.

About T1 expansion

The consolidation of Arrival and Departure terminals into a cohesive structure significantly increases the overall area, soaring from 55,740 sqm to an impressive 206,950 sqm. This expansion is more than three times the previous area and augments the capacity from 17 MPPA to 40 MPPA, which is more than double the previous capacity.

Passenger facilities include- Facial Recognition System (DIGIYATRA) at all entry gates, 20 Automated Tray Retrieval System (ATRS), Individual Carrier System (ICS), 108 Common Usage Self Service (CUSS), 100 check-in counters including 36 Self Baggage Drop (SBD) kiosks among others.

Congress says shoddy infrastructure

The Congress hit out at the Modi government over the Delhi airport roof collapse, saying "corruption" and "criminal negligence" is responsible for the shoddy infrastructure created in the last 10 years.

"Corruption and criminal negligence is responsible for the collapse of shoddy infrastructure falling like a deck of cards, in the past 10 years of Modi Government," Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post on X. .

"Delhi Airport (T1) roof collapse, Jabalpur airport roof collapse, Abysmal condition of Ayodhya's new roads, Ram Mandir leakage, cracks in Mumbai Trans Harbour Link road, 13 new bridges falling down in Bihar in 2023 & 2024, Pragati Maidan Tunnel submerging, Morbi bridge collapse tragedy in Gujarat, ... are some stark instances which exposes the tall claims by Modi ji and BJP of creating 'World Class Infrastructure'," he said.

He said on March 10th, when Modi ji inaugurated the Delhi Ariport T1, he called himself "Doosri mitti ka insaan...All this false bravado and rhetoric was only reserved for quickly indulging in ribbon-cutting ceremonies before Elections. Our heartfelt condolences to the victims of the Delhi airport tragedy. They bore the brunt of a Corrupt, Inept and Selfish Government," Kharge charged.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, "The question is that the prime inauguration minister will take responsibility for these substandard construction works marked by corruption."

"Is the veil finally lifting from BJPs Chanda lo, Chanda lo corruption model," she asked.