PRESS RELEASE

New Delhi, 6th April, 2016

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC has issued notices to the Secretary, Union Ministry of Civil Aviation and Chairman, Airports Authority of India on a complaint that the Chennai Airport, despite having been modernized in 2012, has witnessed 61 incidents of glass fall in recent times, endangering safety of travelers, without any substantive action taken by the concerned authorities.

Mr. Justice D. Murugesan, Member, NHRC has observed that "providing safety and security to the passengers is one of the cardinal duties of the Airline operators and also of the Airport Authorities. Further, the quality and standard of construction of the Airports should be as per the required safety standards. It is really surprising that despite 61 incidents of glass fall, the authorities appear to have not paid heed to the safety concerns of the people. If the allegations leveled are true, the matter needs to be inquired into."

According to the complaint, received in the Commission on the 4th April, 2016, the Chennai Airport was fully modernized in 2012 and within six months of the renovation, the ceiling of the Terminal had fallen down, which continued to happen. Due to this, there is a continuous fear amongst travelers, employees etc. The quality of construction at the Chennai Airport and its sustainability is questionable.

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