Probe IGI damage: ministry

This comes a day after a heavy downpour had left flight operations disrupted for close to two hours. Several panels from the ceiling of new terminal 1D had also collapsed,resulting in leaks at several places.

The civil aviation ministry’s inquiry report,to be prepared by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA),is expected to take at least three weeks. The ministry has asked DGCA to fix accountability and suggest appropriate action under its licensing and regulatory powers. The DGCA has also been asked to suggest remedial action to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

DGCA Naseem Zaidi told Newsline: “The government has asked me to inquire into the incident. The facts and contributory factors would be known only once the inquiry is over.”

Zaidi said measures for strengthening oversight mechanism on development,operation and maintenance of aerodromes can be suggested only after the inquiry gets over.

It is also learnt that the developer DIAL is in the process of appointing a professor from the Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi as an independent structural expert to assess designing and structural flaws in the new building.

The Rs 500-crore terminal was opened for commercial operations this March.

On Saturday,members of the Airports Authority of India (AAI),including members of finance and operations,visited the airport for a spot assessment and held meetings with senior DIAL officials.

Earlier,DGCA had carried out an assessment of the leak after sharp showers on July 28. But DGCA Zaidi said that no inquiry was conducted in that incident. “We had assessed the leaks after it had rained (on July 28) and asked DIAL to take remedial steps,” Zaidi said today.

“Action will be taken this time as an inquiry has been ordered.”

Meanwhile,besides the independent DIAL director,the probe committee formed by the airport operator will also include its chief executive officer,a civil engineering expert and a representative of the Airports Authority of India.

“The committee will look into Friday’s incident and suggest remedial measures to avoid recurrence,” a DIAL spokesperson said. “The committee’s report is expected within three weeks.”