Team Herald
DABOLIM: Two passengers suffered minor injuries after over 25 feet of the metallic false ceiling near the departure hall of the Dabolim Airport collapsed on Saturday. This is third major incident reported at the new terminal building of the airport in the last six months.
Sources said the incident occurred at 12.15 pm on the second floor which is the security hold area where Spicejet passengers were waiting to board the aircraft. However, a few minutes before boarding could commence the false ceiling collapsed.
Earlier on April 19, 2014, (a month after the new building was inaugurated), a section of the false ceiling near the check-in counter of Jet Airways had collapsed but there were no injuries.
According to witness, the departure hall was full with passengers when the false ceiling fell down leaving another part hanging, which was removed by airport staff.
“Two passengers (one a native of Punjab native and the other of Mumbai) who sustained bruises were immediately attended by the AAI team that rushed to the site and gave first aid. As the injuries were simple, the injured passengers later boarded their flight. I have asked for an investigation into the incident,” said AAI Director K S Rao.
The collapse led to panic among passengers and staff. “We initially thought that there was an earthquake but as we had seen a similar incident in past, we realized it was only the false ceiling that had come down due to substandard work. However, for a moment everyone was shocked and the passengers were surprised to see such an incident in an international airport,” an airline staffer told Herald.
The incident also gave Goa a bad name. “I have visited most airports in the country. Many do not have proper terminal buildings but there are no issues with regards to the passenger amenities. I am surprised to see the new airport building which has several issues with lack of passenger amenities also having structural defects which pose a risk to passengers,” said Vikrant Dutta, a frequent flier.
Chairman of Airport Advisory Committee, South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar said, “It is very unfortunate that such a thing has happened. I have asked the airport director to conduct an inquiry into the incident.”
