Roof Collapse at Delhi Airport Terminal 1: BJP and Congress Clash Over Incident

After a portion of the terminal Roof Collapsed at Delhi Airport Terminal 1, at least one person died. This terrible situation, caused by severe rains, resulted in the cancellation of several domestic flights.

Details of the Roof Collapse

Time and Location

The collapse happened early on Friday at Terminal 1 of the airport. Authorities promptly evacuated the terminal and canceled flights until 2 PM (08:30 GMT). Civil aviation minister K Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed the fatality while addressing the media at the site.

Casualties and Damage

Atul Garg, the director of Delhi Fire Services, reported that at least eight people sustained injuries in the collapse, which occurred in the terminal’s domestic departure area. Images from the scene showed a taxi crushed by a fallen metal pillar at the terminal’s entrance, primarily used by budget airlines IndiGo and SpiceJet.

Cause and Response

The airport authority attributed the collapse to intense rainfall that began around 5 AM (23:30 GMT on Thursday). Emergency teams were immediately dispatched to assist and provide medical aid to those affected.

Delhi Airport Terminal 1: Impact of the Incident

Structural Damage

In addition to the roof, several support beams also fell, causing damage to vehicles in the pick-up and drop-off zones. The Press Trust of India reported significant damage due to these structural failures.

Weather Conditions

The airport area experienced approximately 148.5 mm of rain over three hours, exceeding the average monthly rainfall for June, according to India’s weather office. The heavy rains also caused widespread flooding in other parts of the capital as the monsoon season began after an extended period of heatwaves.

BJP and Congress Clash: Context and Aftermath

Recent Refurbishments

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a rehabilitation project at the airport only months before the disaster. This airport is considered one of his key infrastructure projects. Despite this, safety and construction standards remain a significant concern in the country. Naidu clarified that the collapsed roof was part of an older building opened in 2009, separate from the newly refurbished section inaugurated by Modi.

Political Reactions

In response to the incident, an inquiry has been ordered to investigate the causes of the collapse. Opposition politicians criticized the prime minister, accusing him of prioritizing inaugurations over ensuring construction quality. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, general secretary of the opposition Congress party, questioned the accountability and integrity of the construction practices, demanding responsibility for the mishap.