Temporarily shut after canopy collapse, T1 likely to reopen ‘after two-three months’

Following the incident, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said, structural engineers from IIT Delhi have been asked to undertake an assessment. An official said the technical study of T1 or Terminal 1 is expected to take nearly a month. After the findings are shared, a decision will be taken about recommencing the operations at T1, the official added.

However, another source at the IGIA added that the entire canopy of the airport is expected to be rebuilt. “If a portion of any structure falls, generally the entire structure has to be rebuilt,” he said when The Indian Express asked about the status of the repair work.

When DIAL representatives were asked about when the terminal will commence operations, a spokesperson said, “DIAL’s cross-functional teams have been formed and are actively evaluating the situation, engaging with various stakeholders to find the best way forward to ensure passengers’ safety and convenience.”

“It would not be appropriate to comment on the issue. We are committed to ensuring that flight operations continue from T3 and T2 while operations at T1 remain temporarily suspended until further notice. We thank all stakeholders for their understanding and support. To add, the canopy at the old departure forecourt of T1 had partially collapsed around 5 am Friday. While the cause for the collapse of the canopy is being assessed, the primary cause seems to be the heavy rainfall,” the official further said.

“As per the Indian Meteorological Department on Friday, Delhi’s Safdarjung weather station (the city’s base station) had recorded a massive 228.1mm of rain in 24 hours (mainly in the early morning hours of Friday). This is the highest rain in a day in Delhi in June in 85 years. The average rainfall in the area in the last 30 years is 75.2 mm,” the official added.

The IGIA has three terminals, and Terminal 3 (T3) is the largest. At Terminal 1, before it was temporarily shut last week, IndiGo and SpiceJet were operating domestic flights. The carriers have now shifted the operations to T2 and T3.

According to a DIAL spokesperson, however, the two terminals are not facing much pressure due to the shift.

T2 was earlier handling flight operations from IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air Akasa, and Go Air. However, SpiceJet later shifted operations to T1 and T3. “There are plenty of slots available. With Go Air shutting down and Air Akasa’s limited fleet, T2 can comfortably adjust IndiGo’s traffic split between T2 and T3,” said the spokesperson.

Sources also suggested that T1’s expanded terminal, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March, might be first audited and then opened for operations.