A civil investigation has been launched into the newly constructed Halwara International Airport in Ludhiana following a heavy rainstorm that caused parts of the terminal's roof and ceiling to collapse, raising serious concerns over passenger safety.
Storm Damage and Public Outrage
The storm, which struck on Saturday with wind speeds reaching up to 80 kmph, inflicted extensive damage on temporary structures near the departure area and ticketing counters. Water leaked heavily through multiple sections of the terminal building, causing significant disruption for airport staff and passengers. Videos of the leaking and damaged interior quickly spread online, sparking public outrage and raising questions about the quality of construction.
Official Response and Investigation
Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain ordered the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Jagraon to lead a detailed inquiry into the structural failure. “The agency responsible for the facility is under orders to undertake immediate repair and restoration work so that passengers do not face any inconvenience,” Jain stated.
Union Minister of State for Railways and the city's former Lok Sabha member, Ravneet Singh Bittu, criticized the construction standards on social media, sharing a video of the water damage. “This is extremely unfortunate news that Halwara International Airport failed to withstand even the first spell of rain,” Bittu said. “Strict action should be taken against the PWD officials and the contractor for the allegedly negligent construction work and for endangering human lives.”
Airport Director's Response
Airport Director Jagir Singh downplayed the severity of the damage, characterizing it as minor and attributing it directly to the 80 kmph wind speeds. He stated that repairs were expected to be completed within three days.
Flight Operations Continue
Despite the interior damage, flight operations continued without interruption on Sunday. The airport recorded healthy passenger traffic, handling 215 departing passengers and 166 arrivals across its scheduled flights to and from New Delhi.
