New Delhi: A major accident was narrowly avoided at Rajkot International Airport on Saturday as the canopy over the passenger pickup-drop area outside the terminal collapsed due to heavy rain. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported in this incident. The new terminal building of Rajkot airport, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2023, had undergone an expansion costing over ₹1400 crores.Comparison to Delhi Airport incidentThis incident mirrors a similar event at Delhi airports Terminal 1, where a canopy collapse resulted in the death of one person and injuries to several others. According to the Meteorological Department, a cyclonic system is active over South Gujarat, leading to widespread rainfall across the state. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for South Gujarat, forecasting continued rain for the next five days.VIDEO | Canopy collapses at the passenger pickup and drop area outside #Rajkot airport terminal amid heavy rains.(Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/gsurfX2O1S— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 29, 2024Early related incidentsIn another related incident, a part of the canopy at Dumna Airport in Jabalpur also broke down due to heavy rains on Thursday. This incident damaged a government officials car parked under the canopy. Prime Minister Modi had inaugurated this airport just three months prior. The Jabalpur Airport Management attributed the collapse to the accumulation of rainwater on the canopy. The Airport Authority of India (AAI) stated, The technical causes of the incident are being investigated to ensure such incidents do not recur. AAI regrets the incident and assures a comprehensive solution.Committee constituted Following the incident at Delhi Airport, the Delhi International Airport Management has constituted a committee to investigate the collapse at Terminal 1 of Indira Gandhi International Airport. Delhi Police has registered a case under Sections 304 A (causing death by negligence) and 337 (causing hurt by an act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code. Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol announced that the Civil Aviation Ministry has ordered a structural audit of all airport terminals across the country.
