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Delhi airport roof collapse: One dead, six injured, flights disrupted; Opposition targets Modi

by TRANS WORLD FEATURES | @twfindia 28 Jun 2024, 12:59 am

New Delhi/IBNS: Amid heavy rains lashing the national capital region, a portion of the canopy of Delhi Airport's Terminal-1 departure area collapsed on Friday morning killing one and causing cancellation of several domestic flights, officials said, even as the Opposition gunned for PM Modi alleging he had inaugurated the building ahead of polls in rush as the aviation minister hit back clarifying that the structure that fell was of 2009.

At least six people were injured in the mishap, officials said.

The flight operations have been impacted after Terminal-1, which has only domestic air service, has been shut till 2 pm.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu posted on X, "Personally monitoring the roof collapse incident at T1 Delhi Airport. First responders are working at site. Also advised the airlines to assist all affected passengers at T1.

"The injured have been evacuated to hospital. Rescue operations are still ongoing."

Later, Naidu visited the spot and inspected Terminal-1.

The flight operations of Terminal-1 have been temporarily shifted to Terminal-2 and Terminal-3.

A man was seen being taken out of a car, on which the roof had collapsed, during the rescue operation.

The roof of the Terminal-1 at the Indira Gandhi International Airport collapsed amid massive rain in Delhi for two consecutive days.

Corruption and criminal negligence, says Oppn as ruling BJP hits back

Targeting the government, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge posted on X, "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 Govt."

"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 Govt," he added.

Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale wrote on X,"SHOCKING & tragic news this morning. The roof at Delhi Airport’s has T1 collapsed this morning and, until now, 3 people are reported dead. For election campaigning, Modi had hurriedly “inaugurated” T1 in March even while it was under construction.

"Why shouldn't PM Modi be charged with culpable homicide? He’s directly responsible for the death of 3 people who lost their lives because Modi was desperate to campaign."

Countering the Opposition, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, said: "I want to clarify that the building inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi is on the other side and the building that collapsed here is an old one which opened in 2009."

He announced a compensation of INR 20 lakh for the dead and INR 3 lakh for the injured.