PANJIM: In the wake of the recent collapse of the false ceiling at Dabolim Airport, the State Government has decided to write to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation highlighting the ‘poor’ condition of the State’s international airport, which according to the government can ‘dent the state’s tourism image’.

Speaking to media persons, Civil Aviation director Dr Suresh Shanbhogue said, “Government has taken the episode very seriously. We will be quoting the entire incident of collapse of false ceiling in detail to the ministry seeking its intervention. Such incidents will seriously dent the State tourism and State development.”

Stating that in the past, the government had sought the Union Ministry’s intervention in the airport’s bad condition, Shanbhogue said the government will again ask the ministry to act in the interest of tourism, development and image of the State. 

“This will have a serious impact on the State’s image,” he reiterated.

On Saturday, two passengers were injured when part of the new terminal’s false ceiling came crashing down. Since it was commissioned 18 months ago the new terminal building has received constant flak for poor quality construction.

The new building was inaugurated in December 2013. The terminal building is an integrated facility handling domestic and international operations. Constructed at the cost of Rs 345 crore, the building can handle peak hour traffic of 2,750 passengers at a time.