Government To Conduct Nationwide Airport Inspections After Delhi Airport Roof Collapse
Ram Mohan Naidu addresses safety measures, passenger refunds, and misinformation after the Delhi airport incident.
The government will conduct inspections at all airports across the country after a portion of the roof at Delhi airport's Terminal-1 collapsed, injuring six people, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said on Friday.
"We don't want to take any chances. Almost 157 airports are there in the country. I'm not leaving any airport. I want the teams to go to each and every airport. I want the structural inspection being done in all the airports," Naidu told NDTV in an exclusive televised interview.
Naidu's statement comes after one person died and at least six people were injured when a portion of the roof of Delhi airport's Terminal-1 collapsed on cars amid heavy rain this morning. All departures from Terminal 1 were temporarily suspended, and check-in counters were closed as a safety measure, according to an airport official.
The airport operator is planning to temporarily move operations from T1 to T2 and T3, which only offer domestic airline operations. The airport had 7.37 crore passenger traffic in the previous financial year with a total aircraft movement of 4.56 lakh, according to its website.
Full Refund And Accommodation For Passengers
Naidu assured passengers affected by the collapse that they would receive full refunds and alternative travel arrangements.
"We have established a 24/7 helpline at the airport in T2 and T3. Anyone requesting a refund or an alternate route will be provided for. We have ensured that within seven days the refund has to be provided," he said.
Airfare Charges Check
Addressing concerns about potential airfare spikes, Naidu emphasised that airlines have been instructed to maintain fare prices.
"We have instructed the airlines to consider this incident on humanitarian grounds and ensure that no fare price hike is happening until normalcy is achieved," he said.
Fake News Allegations
Naidu also responded to allegations and misinformation regarding the incident.
"This fake news that PM Modi inaugurated this building three months back and such an incident happened is not true. The collapse happened in that part of the building which was constructed and opened in 2009. Linking it to the event that he inaugurated is totally fake news," he said.
