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Taxi Driver Killed As Canopy Collapses At Delhi Airport; Probe Underway

July 30, 2024, 10:00 am

A taxi driver was killed and eight people were injured on June 28 when the forecourt canopy collapsed at Terminal 1 of Indira Gandhi International Airport.

In response, the civil aviation ministry has set up a high-level expert committee, including structural engineers from IIT Delhi, to investigate the collapse. Murlidhar Mohor, the minister of state for civil aviation, shared this information in a written reply to MP Jawhar Sircar.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is also looking into similar canopy collapses at airports in Jabalpur and Rajkot, which happened on June 27 and 29, respectively.

To prevent future incidents, airport operators have been instructed to conduct a third-party audit of the structural stability of their buildings and infrastructure, using reputed government institutions like IITs, NITs, and CBRI. Mohor added that since these collapses occurred during heavy rain, all airport operators must thoroughly evaluate their buildings’ civil, electrical, and technical aspects, including the design and workmanship of roof structures, before each monsoon season.

Watch: Roof Collapse At Delhi Airport Terminal 1, Multiple Injured

June 28, 2024, 7:42 am

At least three individuals sustained injuries following a roof collapse at Terminal 1 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport early Friday morning. The incident occurred as heavy rains lashed the city, causing widespread disruption and flooding.

According to the Delhi Fire Service, the Airport roof collapse happened around 5:30 AM, prompting an immediate emergency response. “We received a call about a roof collapse at Terminal 1, and at least four fire tenders were dispatched to the scene,” a spokesperson for the Fire Service said.

#WATCH | “A roof collapsed at Terminal-1 of Delhi airport. 3 fire tenders were rushed to the spot”, says an official from Delhi Fire Services

(Video source – Delhi Fire Services) pic.twitter.com/qdRiSFrctv

— ANI (@ANI) June 28, 2024

The injured have been rushed to a nearby hospital, and rescue operations are ongoing to extricate another person reportedly trapped under the debris. The severity of the injuries is not yet known.

In addition to the incident at the airport, the heavy rainfall has led to significant flooding in various parts of Delhi and its surrounding areas. Numerous localities are heavily inundated, causing severe traffic disruptions and difficulties for residents. Vehicles were seen nearly half-submerged in some areas, as people struggled to navigate through waterlogged streets.

It is advised for the residents to remain indoors and avoid non-essential travel as they work to address the widespread flooding and its aftermath.

Delhi Man Took 200 Flights, Stole Crores From Passengers

May 14, 2024, 1:00 pm

A man was apprehended by the police at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi for a string of thefts, involving the pilferage of jewelry and cash worth crores from fellow passengers during over 200 flights. Identified as Rajesh Kapoor, 40, the suspect’s modus operandi included assuming his deceased brother’s identity, Rishi Kapoor, to evade detection while traveling and targeting unsuspecting elderly women passengers carrying handbags, particularly during boarding.

Kapoor’s arrest followed a series of reported thefts on Air India flights, with victims including passengers traveling to the US who had their jewelry, valued at Rs 7 lakh and Rs 20 lakh, respectively, stolen during their journeys. The police investigation, aided by CCTV footage analysis from airports in Hyderabad, Delhi, and Amritsar, implicated Kapoor in these incidents. His presence on the flights aroused suspicion, and further scrutiny revealed his use of a fake phone number registered under someone else’s name. However, technical analysis led to the discovery of his original phone number, indicating his residence in Paharganj.

Following Kapoor’s arrest, a significant amount of stolen property, including gold and silver jewelry, was recovered from his possession. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of Sharad Jain, 46, from Karol Bagh, who was found to be receiving stolen jewelry items from Kapoor.

Kapoor’s extensive travel history, with over 200 flights in the past year alone, has raised concerns about his potential involvement in similar cases across various airports in India. Usha Rangnani, Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI), stated, “Rajesh Kapoor has also accepted stealing valuables from the bags of unsuspecting female passengers in several airlines headed to and from various airports of India like Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Bangalore, Bombay, and Amritsar.”

The police have informed the concerned airports about Kapoor’s activities and are analyzing his travel history over the past year to uncover any further involvement in similar cases. The investigation into the matter is ongoing.

Aerocity at IGIA to Host India’s Largest Mall in $2.5 Billion Expansion

May 9, 2024, 12:33 pm

In 2027, Indira Gandhi International Airport’s Aerocity is poised to become home to India’s largest mall, spanning over 28 lakh square feet, as part of a $2.5 billion expansion. This expansion will transform the area into India’s first aerotropolis, growing eightfold over the next five years. Currently, Aerocity offers 15 lakh square feet of leasable space, with plans to increase this to over 1 crore square feet by 2029.

Furthermore, the global business district will undergo a significant expansion, adding another 65 lakh square feet of leasable area. This will result in a total of 1.8 crore square feet of leasable space for offices, retail outlets, food courts, a mega mall, and public spaces.

The development of Aerocity was awarded to Bharti Realty by GMR-backed Delhi International Airport Ltd. Bharti Realty’s lease for Aerocity is concurrent with DIAL’s lease for the airport’s development and operation, which remains under state ownership.

The $2.5 billion investment for Phase 2 and 3 will be raised through a combination of debt and equity. Phase 2 will include the construction of Worldmark 4, 5, 6 & 7, offering 35 lakh square feet of leasable space, along with India’s largest mall spanning over 28 lakh square feet—three times larger than the existing Vasant Kunj malls. Phase 2 is expected to begin delivery next year and be completed by March 2027.

Aerocity currently features 5,000 hotel rooms across 11 hotels, including JW Marriott, Accor Group, and Roseate. Upon completion of Phase 2, the number of hotel rooms will increase to 7,000 across 16 hotels, with names like St Regis and JW Marriott Marquis joining the district.

Phase 1 attracted major corporations such as Airbus, EY, IMF, KPMG, Emirates, and Pernod Ricard. Additionally, Brookfield, a global alternative investment management company, acquired a 51% stake in Bharti’s four commercial properties, including Aerocity Worldmark Phase 1, for Rs 5,000 crore two years ago.

Phase 3 will see the development of 40 lakh square feet of leasable commercial space across the Northern Access Road, connecting Mahipalpur and Terminals 2 and 3. This phase will commence in 2025 and be completed by 2029, featuring offices with retail space on the ground floor, all connected by cycle tracks and walkways.

Upon completion, Aerocity is expected to accommodate 20 lakh people working there, with an annual footfall of at least three crore. This growth aligns with the anticipation of IGI handling over 10 crore passengers annually, with plans to replace T2 with a larger T4, increasing the airport’s yearly capacity to over 14 crore flyers. Additionally, the area is set to become a magnet for footfall due to the number of people working at the airport, both on the passenger and cargo sides.

To accommodate this growth, DIAL is developing India’s first interstate multi-modal transport hub near the Aerocity metro station. This hub will likely include an interstate bus terminus, Delhi Metro’s upcoming Phase 4 line, and the Rapid Rail Transit System station, including the station for the automated passenger mover or air train.

Bharti Realty is focusing on the development of the mega mall, which is expected to become India’s largest indoor entertainment destination upon its completion in 2027. Teams have been sent across the world to develop the mall, aiming to offer the most sought-after global entertainment genres.

Currently, DIAL and the Union aviation ministry are discussing the number of stops the proposed air train linking T1, T3/2, or T4 should have. While DIAL prefers two air train stations in Aerocity for quick intra-terminal transfers, the ministry favors fewer stops for efficiency.

Delhi Airport issues advisory; Flights and trains to remain affected today due to fog

February 2, 2024, 10:18 am

Due to dense fog conditions in the national capital on Friday, the Indira Gandhi International Airport issued an advisory, stating that flight operations at the airport might be affected today.

The advisory urged passengers to contact their respective airlines for updated flight information and expressed regret for any inconvenience caused. The airport authorities mentioned that while landings and takeoffs continue, flights not compliant with CAT III standards may face disruptions.

CAT III is an instrument landing system approach enabling landings in very low visibility conditions. The India Meteorological Department reported very dense fog over certain parts of Delhi, affecting visibility.

Train services were also impacted, with delays reported for several trains arriving in the Delhi area. People braved the cold weather, seeking warmth near fires at the New Delhi Railway Station.

The minimum temperature recorded in New Delhi’s Safdarjung area on Friday was 12.3 degrees, and dense fog is predicted for Saturday, with rain and drizzle expected over the weekend.

Thick Fog Envelops Delhi; Airport Area Faces Zero Visibility

January 12, 2024, 10:46 am

Parts of the national capital and its vicinity experienced dense fog as the temperature dropped to 5.4 degrees Celsius on Friday morning. The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport area encountered zero visibility due to the thick fog cover, although flight operations were not significantly impacted.

The Delhi airport authorities issued an advisory, urging passengers to contact their respective airlines for updated flight information before heading to the airport. Low Visibility Procedures were implemented at Delhi Airport, but flight operations remained normal. The CAT III (Category III) instrument landing system, designed for aircraft to operate in low visibility conditions, was in use for takeoffs and landings.

While the adverse weather conditions did not halt flight operations, non-CAT III-compliant flights might experience some disruptions. Passengers were advised to check with their airlines for the latest flight information. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported zero visibility at Palam Airport at 7:30 am and 200 meters of visibility at Delhi’s Safdarjung Airport in dense fog conditions.

Zero Visibility: Flight Operations Grounded at IGI Delhi Airport

December 26, 2023, 12:03 pm

Flight operations at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi were severely impacted on Tuesday as visibility plummeted to 50 meters, considered zero visibility, according to airport sources. Although there was a slight improvement at 8:30 a.m. with visibility reaching 75 meters, it dropped back to 50 meters.

Airport sources revealed that weather conditions led to significant delays in flight operations, and there were possibilities of diversions. Five flights were diverted to Jaipur between 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. due to adverse weather conditions at Delhi airport.

Delhi Airport sent out a passenger caution for the second day in a row, warning that although landings and takes-offs are proceeding, flights that do not meet CAT III criteria may encounter delays. For the most recent flight information, travelers were advised to get in touch with their airlines; the alert expressed regret for any trouble caused.

To enable accurate approaches and landings in limited visibility, the airport authorities implemented the CAT-III Instrument Landing technology (ILS), an anti-fog landing technology.

Simultaneously, North India experienced a continuation of winter chill, with cities like Prayagraj, Ghaziabad, Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, and Moga in Punjab facing cold waves and dense fog on Tuesday morning. Satellite images released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) depicted fog over Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.

The Delhi-NCR region was shrouded in dense fog as temperatures dropped to nearly 7 degrees Celsius, as reported by the IMD. The IMD also issued a warning about potential health impacts due to the dense fog, citing concerns about particulate matter and pollutants causing respiratory issues and eye infections.

Delhi: Medicines worth Rs 75 lakh seized at airport

August 6, 2023, 5:15 pm

Officials stated on Sunday that the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) discovered large amounts of drugs worth roughly Rs 75 lakh with a female traveler at Indira Gandhi International Airport in the national capital.

According to officials, on August 4, CISF Surveillance and intelligence personnel noticed suspicious activities of a foreign passenger, identified as Ekhtivor Abdhullaeva (Uzbekistan national), who was scheduled to fly to Almaty on Air Astana flight No. KC-908 (STD 1135 hrs) at Terminal 3 IGI airport.

She and her luggage were submitted for random XBIS checks due to heightened suspicion. Images of large quantity of Medicines were discovered within the three containers she was carrying when they were checked. Furthermore, she was allowed to go through immigration inspections and was kept under physical and technological observation, according to officials.

“On thorough physical checking of her belongings, a huge quantity of Medicines worth approximately Rs 75 lakh was recovered. She could not produce any supporting documents for carrying the medicines,” the authorities revealed.

Delhi Cold Wave: IMD issues orange, yellow alerts; homeless says deprived of facilities

January 18, 2023, 12:16 pm

Already reeling under a cold wave since the beginning of the new year in Northwest India, including Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Haryana, the India Meteorological Department issued orange and yellow alerts on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the orange alert means to “be prepared” to respond to any emergency and the yellow alert signifies that the weather could change.

Moreover, homeless people in the national capital are complaining about not getting much help from authorities.

“We are laborers. We feel cold every time, at work and while we are at home as we cannot afford a blanket and are making this survival possible with the help of fire. We came from Bihar to make both ends meet but sometimes it turns difficult as we have no support from the government or anybody,” said one Fasekhtar Alam.

Talking to the media, an auto rickshaw driver named Rajiv Kumar said, if they did not run their rickshaw despite their hands being numb due to the cold, they would die of starvation in a couple of days.

“The cold is so severe that we are not even able to move our vehicle, it gets really tough to hold the clutch. But we are compelled because if we don’t do this, we will die in two days,” Rajiv Kumar said.

Earlier on Wednesday, due to low visibility, several flights and six trains were running late.

Barauni-New Delhi Clone Special, Kamakhya-Delhi Brahmaputra Mail, Visakhapatnam-New Delhi Andhra Pradesh Express, Sultanpur -Anand Vihar Terminal Sadbhavana Express, Jabalpur-Hazrat Nizamuddin Gondwana, Manikpur-Hazrat Nizamuddin Uttar Pardesh Sampark Kranti Express, are running late upto 1 hour, as per the Northern Railway.

The airport authority said on Wednesday that several flights scheduled to depart from Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) were delayed due to fog.

However, between 18 January and 19 January, some parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana, as well as Chandigarh and Delhi, will experience a cold wave or severe cold wave conditions.

“Cold wave conditions over northwest India likely to abate from January 19. The rainfall/thunderstorm is likely to commence from January 22 and continue till January 25 with peak activity on 23 and 24 January over the plains of Northwest India including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and North Rajasthan,” the IMD said.

A senior scientist of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), RK Jenamani, said on Monday that Delhi will experience severe cold wave conditions for two days.

“The minimum temperature in Delhi has dipped to 1.4 degrees Celsius, with severe cold wave conditions prevailing in Delhi. For the next two days, the same temperature may prevail as the chances of further dipping are unlikely. The temperature may likely go up from January 18,” RK Jenamani said.

Dense fog persists over Delhi-NCR; 5 killed including 1 child

January 11, 2023, 12:41 pm

In many parts of North India on Wednesday a severe fog engulfed affecting visibility in many states. Due to severe cold five people including one child in Noida.

Earlier at 6.10 am 5.9 degree Celsius minimum temperature was recorded at Safdarjung and in Palam, there were 100 meters of visibility at 6.10 am.

Meanwhile, 26 trains got delayed and 10 flights, scheduled to depart from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), were delayed due to dense fog.

The flight routes which are affected by fog were Delhi-Shimla, Delhi-Kathmandu, Delhi-Chennai, Delhi-Jaisalmer, Delhi-Bareilly, Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Varanasi, Delhi-Srinagar, Delhi-Jaipur, and Delhi-Guwahati.

These trains got delayed by three hours Gorakhpur-Bathinda Gorakhdham Express, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus- Amritsar Express, Pratapgarh-Delhi Padmavat Express, and Dr. Ambedkar Nagar- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Malwa Superfast Express were running late by up to 2 hours. While Barauni-New Delhi Clone Special, Katihar-Amritsar Express, Visakhapatnam-New Delhi Andhra Pradesh Express, and Jabalpur-Hazrat Nizamuddin Gondwana Express.

Moreover by 4 hours MahabodhiExpress, and Howrah-New Delhi Poorva Express,
Puri- New Delhi Purushottam Express, Azamgarh-Delhi Kaifiyaat Express, Kamakhya-Delhi Brahmaputra Mail, and Jaynagar-Amritsar Clone Special were running late.

“Dense/Very Dense Fog layer (in the white patch) extends from Punjab to Bihar across Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh,” tweeted the India Meteorological Department.

Talking about the air quality of Delhi continued to be “severe” on Wednesday with Air Quality Index (AQI) 421.

However, in the last 23 years, Delhi experienced the third worst cold spell and from 14 January there will be a second spell of cold in Delhi.

Talking to the media IMD scientist RK Jenamani said, “A cold spell means the number of days we experienced which is in the range of 5 to 6 days. A similar situation was there in the year 2006 when we had the lowest temperature of 1.9 degrees Celsius. In 2013 also, we had a similar cold spell, and January 3-9 was the third worst cold spell in the last 23 years.”