Canopy collapse due to lack of repair or weak foundation? Delhi Police asks in questionnaire to airport authorities

The authorities to which the notice have been sent include Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) and Airports Authority of India (AAI), sources said.

The notice has been sent out to ascertain if the the collapse took place over lack of repair of the structure or if the canopy had a problem at foundation level from the start, the sources added.

The authorities have also been asked to provide details of the contractors and officials involved in the construction work. Besides, details of last repair work and inspection have also been sought, the sources added.

A senior police officer, requesting anonymity, said the investigating officer (IO) in the case has issued notice to the authorities handling airport maintenance and operations.

The officer said the notices were sent out two days ago following a number of inspections of the collapse site by police teams of the IGI unit and forensic experts. “It will be investigated whether there were any defects in the structure, which led to the collapse,” added the officer.

Said another officer, “The investigation into the incident is still in the preliminary stages as several agencies such as (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security) BCAS and a team of IIT is involved…on our part, we are probing on whose part does the negligence lie as currently the FIR has been lodged against unknown persons…once responses are received, further legal action will be taken.”

Officials had earlier said it will take two to three months for the Terminal 1 to be functional again, shifting all operations to the Terminal 2 and 3 for the time being.

A portion of the canopy and several beams collapsed on June 28 when Delhi saw the heaviest June downpour in 88 years. A Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) spokesperson cited the record-breaking heavy winds and rain as the reason behind the collapse.