As Congress Blames Centre, Naidu Says Airport Building Which Collapsed Was Inaugurated in 2009

New Delhi: Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Friday, June 28, said that the structure that collapsed at the Delhi airport was inaugurated in 2009. He was responding to the allegations of 'corruption' and 'negligence' levelled by the opposition after a portion of the roof of the Terminal-1 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport collapsed on Friday morning.

"We are taking this incident seriously. 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 building and was opened in 2009..." said Union Minister Naidu after taking stock of the situation on Friday.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu inspected the Terminal-1 of the Delhi airport after a portion collapsed, amid heavy rainfall, killing one person and injuring several others. Naidu said that airport operator DIAL will carry out an inspection of the structure. "DGCA will supervise the inspection and they will give a report," he said.

Naidu has announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh for the deceased and Rs 3 lakh for ones injured in the incident. The minister said that the incident is being taken 'seriously', calling for a nationwide audit of airport buildings.

“A section of the canopy which is outside of the airport has collapsed due to heavy rains. We express our condolence to the life that has been lost in this tragic incident, four people have also been injured. So we are taking care of them right now," the Union Minister said. Airports with such structures across the country will be thoroughly inspected, said Naidu. 

Opposition Targets Centre 

The Congress on Friday 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. 

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.