Lucknow Airport Terminal 3 Leaks After Rain, Video Goes Viral

Lucknow: A video capturing leakage at Terminal 3 of the newly inaugurated Lucknow Airport surfaced on Saturday, sparking widespread concern on social media. "Look at the condition of Terminal-3 at Lucknow's Amausi Airport, which was built on the lines of Germany's Frankfurt Airport. The roof is leaking in the rain. It was inaugurated a few months ago", said an X user.  This incident is part of a series of recent issues at other airports, including canopy collapses at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal-1, Rajkot and Jabalpur Airports.

3 Days, 3 Incidents

This comes hours after a canopy collapsed at Gujarat's Rajkot Airport amid heavy rainfall on Saturday. Though there have been no injuries or casualties, a series of collapse incidents at airports from Delhi to Rajkot in the past three days, have thrust airport safety into the spotlight. These alarming events have raised serious questions about the effectiveness of existing safety protocols and the accountability of airport authorities.

What Happened in Delhi?

At Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal-1, a person was killed after a roof collapsed due to the accumulation of rainwater. An initial investigation suggests that the canopy collapsed due to the accumulation of rainwater, stated an officer. The structures were designed to allow rainwater to collect and pass through easily. Videos showing water accumulation, as well as cracks and leaks in the canopy, have surfaced on social media.

The operational work of the airport is managed by GMR Airport Infrastructure Limited-led Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL). The Delhi Police is investigating whether DIAL had outsourced the maintenance of the area outside T1 to another firm or contractor and will also review the audit work.

In response to the incident, DIAL has established an internal technical committee to investigate the cause of the collapse, with a report expected to be shared with the Delhi Police. Following the incident, T1 has been closed by the authorities as the removal of rubble continues.

What Happened in Jabalpur?

A part of a fabric canopy collapsed at Jabalpur airport in Madhya Pradesh due to water accumulation from heavy rains, crushing a car parked below. Fortunately, there were no injuries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had virtually inaugurated the ₹450-crore new terminal building of Dumna airport on March 10.  

Issuing a statement, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) in Jabalpur said, "Due to continuous rainfall since yesterday evening, a part of the fabric canopy, constructed for the aesthetic appeal of the newly-built building at Jabalpur Airport, accumulated water and the fabric tore. This caused the water to fall on the car parked below, damaging the car’s roof and windows. Technical reasons for the incident are being investigated to ensure such incidents do not recur. The AAI (Jabalpur), regrets this incident and assures comprehensive resolution."