‘Leaks to be plugged at IGI Airport’

The next time it rains, the Rs 500-crore new domestic departure terminal of Delhi airport won’t leak. Or so claims the airport operator.

The next time it rains, the Rs 500-crore new domestic departure terminal of Delhi airport won’t leak. Or so claims the airport operator.

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Terminal 1D of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport was opened to public just three months ago but all it takes is a light shower for the building’s roof to start leaking.

Private airport operator Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) is going to buy a special kind of sealant to stop the leak.

“These are special sealants used for waterproofing. In fact, there is very little leakage now compared to when the terminal first opened,” a DIAL spokesperson said.

During the heavy showers in July, the roof of the terminal started leaking at several points. The rainwater had damaged X-ray baggage screening machines and other equipment.

DIAL said the leakages were due the style in which the terminal is built and some leakage was expected during the first monsoon.

“In a fairly big structure with large curved roof adoring skylights formed from multiple sections, there is every possibility of some leakages occurring during the maiden monsoon, till foolproof waterproofing is done post initial monsoon showers,” said the DIAL spokesperson.