Opposition criticizes Modi for Delhi airport T1 roof collapse as election PR stunt.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the expanded and revamped Terminal 1 (T1) at the airport on March 10 this year, approximately three and a half months before the incident of the roof collapse. The inauguration was part of efforts to enhance infrastructure and accommodate increasing air traffic at the airport. However, the recent roof collapse at T1 has drawn criticism, with opposition parties labeling the inauguration as a premature and ill-timed PR move. The incident has sparked concerns about the structural integrity and safety measures implemented during the terminal’s renovation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union government faced severe criticism from opposition parties on Friday following the roof collapse at Terminal 1 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. The incident occurred around 5 am on June 28, resulting in one fatality and injuries to several individuals.
The revamped Terminal 1 (T1) was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 10 this year, approximately three and a half months before the tragic incident. The inauguration aimed to showcase improvements in airport infrastructure to accommodate increased air traffic. However, the collapse has raised serious concerns about the quality of the renovation work and safety measures implemented.
Opposition leaders condemned the incident, questioning the timing and adequacy of safety protocols, while calling for accountability and immediate corrective actions from the government.
“A recent incident at Delhi Airport’s Terminal 1 has raised concerns. The unfinished extension, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2024, has been criticized for its alleged connection to the upcoming General Elections. Unfortunately, the incident resulted in one fatality and several injuries. While investigations are ongoing, some have attributed the incident to the rushed opening of the terminal.
Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale reacted strongly to the tragic incident at Delhi Airport, calling it “shocking and tragic.” He questioned why Prime Minister Modi shouldn’t face culpable homicide charges over the collapse of Terminal 1’s roof. Gokhale criticized the PM for hastily inaugurating the terminal in March while it was still under construction, attributing the incident to Modi’s alleged rush for electoral publicity.
The Congress party condemned the incident at Delhi airport as a result of what they termed “criminal negligence.” They pointed out that the terminal, which was inaugurated hastily in March amidst the Lok Sabha elections, remained unfinished. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Modi government of corruption and criminal negligence, attributing the collapse to poor infrastructure management over the past decade under Modi’s leadership.
The collapse of Terminal 1 (T1) at Delhi Airport early on Friday morning has sparked widespread criticism and operational disruptions. The incident, which occurred around 5 am amid heavy rains, resulted in the death of one person and injuries to at least six others. Flight operations at T1, primarily used for domestic flights by IndiGo and SpiceJet, have been suspended indefinitely. The Civil Aviation Ministry attributed the collapse to heavy rain causing the canopy to collapse. Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) is considering temporarily shifting operations to Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 to minimize disruptions. Emergency personnel are currently on-site, providing assistance and medical aid to those affected.