NEW DELHI: The roof of a terminal building at New Delhi’s international airport partially collapsed early Friday during heavy rains, killing one person, authorities said.
This incident occurred months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a refurbishment project, which included Terminal 1. Images circulated online showed vehicles crushed beneath large steel girders at the departure forecourt.
“Due to heavy rain since early this morning, a portion of the canopy… collapsed around 5 am,” stated airport authorities.
Terminal 1, exclusively for domestic flights, had its departures canceled until early afternoon, with subsequent flights redirected to unaffected terminals operating normally. Infrastructure development has been a key focus under Modi’s administration, with the Delhi airport, named after the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, being a flagship project.
The opposition Congress party criticized Modi, linking the collapse to the hastened inauguration ahead of recent elections.
Congress’s unexpected performance in the polls prevented Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from securing a majority, leading to coalition government negotiations.
Delhi airport is managed by a consortium led by Indian firm GMR, a major player in private airport operations globally, also involved in energy and highway sectors. Reports highlighted financial contributions to electoral trusts benefiting both BJP and Congress.
Senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, in a post on social media, questioned responsibility for the construction quality and alleged corruption. At the airport, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu clarified that the collapsed roof was not part of the terminal inaugurated by Modi but was constructed in 2009.
“At least one person has died and eight others injured. Rescue operations are concluded,” confirmed Atul Garg, director of Delhi Fire Services.
In a separate incident on the same day, part of the roof at Jabalpur airport in Madhya Pradesh collapsed. Safety standards in construction remain a concern in India, underscored by recurring accidents.
