Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu stated on Friday that the roof which collapsed at Delhi airport’s Terminal 1, resulting in one fatality and four injuries, was built during the years 2008-09.
Naidu’s statement was made in response to allegations from the Congress party, claiming that the collapsed roof was a part of the expanded Terminal 1 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this year in March.
“I would like to clarify that the structure inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi is located on a different section, whereas the collapsed building is an older structure that was opened back in 2009,” Naidu mentioned after inspecting the situation at Delhi airport.
Government sources have reported that GMR Airports Limited outsourced the construction of the damaged roof to private contractors.
The collapse of a section of the roof at Terminal-1 of Delhi airport occurred during heavy rainfall in the city.
The Union Minister has announced a nationwide audit and compensation of Rs 20 lakh for the deceased and Rs 3 lakh for the injured individuals.
“We offer our deepest sympathies to the individual who lost their life in this tragic event. Our emergency response team, fire safety team, CISF, and NDRF teams were all promptly dispatched to the site to ensure no further casualties,” the minister added.
Delhi experienced 228.1 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, marking one of the rainiest spells the city has seen in June.
Instances of waterlogging were observed in various areas of the capital, with images showing vehicles submerged under flyovers.