After Delhi, part of canopy at Rajkot International Airport collapses after heavy rain

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, 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had dedicated the Rajkot airport to the nation on July 27, 2023. Modi’s plane had landed at the new airport and he had also inspected the terminal building before flying to the old Rajkot airport located in the middle of the city.

The AAI had operationalised the RIA on September 10, 2023, by starting flights from that day and shutting down the old airport in Rajkot city. As the terminal building of the new airport was still under construction, the airport run by AAI started passenger handling operations out of a temporary terminal which is to be converted into a cargo terminal when the permanent terminal becomes ready to handle passengers. The passenger pick-up and drop area of the temporary terminal is covered by a heavy-duty fabric canopy, supported by a steel frame.

“Water accumulated in the canopy. During maintenance work to drain the water, the canopy broke,” Diganta Borah, director of RIA, told The Indian Express. “After an inquiry, a detailed report will be shared with AAI [Airports Authority of India]. The incident has not affected operations at the airport,” Borah added.

While RIA has been designated an international airport, it is presently only handling domestic flights as the work on the permanent terminal continues and immigration and customs staff are yet to be deployed.

“A small temporary shed there has collapsed,” Prabhav Joshi, Rajkot Collector, said.