Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 24 July 2023
The just lately inaugurated Integrated Terminal Building of Veer Savarkar International Airport discovered itself embroiled in controversy after a video of a dislocated ceiling exterior the ticket counters went viral on social media. The incident has drawn widespread criticism, with netizens questioning the standard of development, simply days after its grand inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 18th July 2023.
The video, which captured part of the false ceiling hanging precariously and a ceiling board fallen on the ground, sparked outrage amongst social media customers. Many expressed concern over the security of passengers and the usual of the newly constructed terminal.
In response to the mounting criticism, the Airports Authority of India rapidly swung into motion, and the ceiling was repaired on a warfare footing. An official assertion from the authority defined that the ceiling had been deliberately loosened for CCTV changes and closing alignment. Unfortunately, a bout of heavy winds on the evening of twenty second July triggered the ceiling to uplift from the underside, because the ticketing counter space didn’t permit the wind to flee correctly. Consequently, about 10 sq. meters of the false ceiling was dislocated, whereas the ceiling contained in the terminal constructing remained unaffected.
Fortunately, the repairs to the ceiling had been promptly accomplished by the night of twenty third July 2023, restoring the airport’s performance and aesthetics.
While the Airports Authority of India’s clarification has make clear the incident, the general public stays vigilant, urging authorities to conduct thorough checks and make sure that such points are adequately addressed to forestall any future mishaps.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the incident serves as a stark reminder for officers overseeing infrastructure initiatives to prioritise security and high quality requirements, particularly on the subject of important public amenities like airports.
