Another Unfortunate Roof Collapse - Will They Ever Learn?

As the dust settles on the latest roof collapse at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, one can't help but wonder if anything will ever be learned from these tragic events. In the past 15 years, there have been at least five major roof collapses at Indian airports, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries. When will the government and airport authorities take responsibility for ensuring the safety of passengers and employees?

The most recent collapse occurred on July 28, 2023, when a portion of the roof at Terminal 3 fell, injuring four people. The terminal was evacuated, and flights were delayed for several hours while emergency crews worked to clear the debris. It was a lucky escape for the passengers and staff, as the roof could have easily collapsed on them during the busy morning rush hour.

In 2019, a roof collapse at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport killed six people. In 2018, a similar incident occurred at Chennai International Airport, injuring 11 people. In 2011, two people died when the roof of a terminal at Kolkata Airport collapsed. And in 2009, a roof collapse at Delhi's own Indira Gandhi International Airport killed two people and injured dozens more.

It's clear that there is a pattern of roof collapses at Indian airports.
Something needs to be done to address the underlying causes of these incidents.

The government and airport authorities must take immediate action to prevent further roof collapses. This includes conducting thorough inspections of all airport buildings, upgrading infrastructure to meet safety standards, and implementing stricter building codes. They must also ensure that contractors are properly trained and certified and that they are held accountable for their work.

Passengers and employees deserve to feel safe when traveling through Indian airports. The government and airport authorities have a responsibility to ensure that their safety is a top priority. They must take action now to prevent further tragedies from occurring.

The people of India deserve better than this. They deserve to have safe and reliable airports. The government and airport authorities must step up and make this happen.

Call to Action: Contact your local MP or MLA and demand that they take action to prevent further roof collapses at Indian airports. You can also sign the online petition at www.change.org/noairportroofcollapses.