In recent weeks, India has witnessed a series of unfortunate events leading to significant infrastructure damage across various sectors.
The infrastructure that has faced damage includes airports, railways, hospitals, and train stations in several states which has raised questions on infrastructural inadequacies.
These incidents have not only disrupted daily operations and transportation services but have also raised serious concerns about the resilience and sustainability of critical infrastructure in the face of increasing environmental challenges.
From the bustling hubs of Delhi and Ahmedabad to the regional airports in Jabalpur and Bagdogra, each location has faced its own set of challenges.
Severe monsoon rains have caused extensive flooding and waterlogging, leading to structural damage such as cracks in runways and sewage leaks within terminals.
Railway tracks and stations across states like Maharashtra and Assam have been affected by landslides and flooding, while hospitals in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have struggled with waterlogging and power outages.
Additionally, the newly constructed Ram Mandir in Uttar Pradesh has encountered water leakage issues, raising concerns about the integrity of newly built structures.
These incidents highlight the urgent need for robust infrastructure maintenance and proactive disaster management strategies to mitigate risks.
Here’s a list of the infrastructure that suffered damage over the past few weeks in India:
Ahmedabad Airport (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport)
Gujarat Model of Governance
Today scenes at the Ahmedabad Gujarat airport 😳😂 pic.twitter.com/iMHFd8H3sv
— Ravinder Kapur. (@RavinderKapur2) June 30, 2024
Significant cracks have been reported in the airport due to heavy rains and wear, posing safety risks. Videos from the spot show Structural integrity of roof and the floor compromised, requiring urgent repairs. The video also shows a drainage trench leaking.
Delhi International Airport
On June 29, 2024, heavy rainfall led to the collapse of part of the canopy at Terminal 1 of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. The incident, which fortunately did not result in any injuries, has highlighted the need for improved weather resilience of airport structures.
Rajkot Airport
Just a day after a part of the canopy at Delhi’s Terminal 1 collapsed due to heavy rain, a similar incident occurred at Rajkot International Airport on Saturday. A portion of the fabric canopy at the pick-up and drop area of Rajkot Airport collapsed after heavy rains, officials reported, with no injuries.
Jabalpur Airport
A section of the canopy at Jabalpur Airport in central India collapsed on Thursday, damaging a car belonging to an Income Tax official. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The airport, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi just three months ago on March 10, had not faced heavy rains until now.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has initiated an investigation into the incident. According to the AAI, the newly constructed building experienced significant water accumulation during its first rainfall, which led to the collapse of the canopy.
Water leakage at Ram Temple
The iconic Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has experienced water leakage issues in recent days, primarily attributed to heavy rains. This leakage has affected parts of the temple complex, raising concerns over the impact of monsoon rains on this historic structure and the need for improved waterproofing measures.
Mathura water tank collaose
Two women tragically lost their lives, and 13 others were injured when an overhead tank collapsed in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, on June 30, according to officials. The injured have been hospitalized, with one in critical condition undergoing treatment.
Ayodhya Dham Railway station
In addition to submerged railway stations in various locations, including Hapur in Uttar Pradesh, a boundary wall at Ayodhya Dham Railway Station collapsed following heavy rainfall in Ayodhya.
Bangalore Metro Station
On June 27th, Bangalore Metro’s Pink Line faced a significant setback as authorities suspended operations of Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Tunga due to the emergence of a sinkhole on a road in KG Halli, northeastern Bengaluru.
Atal Setu, Mumbai
Cracks appeared on the newly-inaugurated Atal Setu, triggering debates and allegations between political parties regarding its construction and safety. The bridge is notable for being India’s longest sea bridge.
Delhi wall collapse
Three labourers tragically lost their lives when a wall collapsed at a construction site due to rain on Friday in New Delhi’s Vasant Vihar area, as confirmed by officials.
Bridge Collapse in Jharkhand
An under-construction bridge linking Dumri and Kariphari villages collapsed in Giridih district, Jharkhand.
Bridges collapse in Bihar
Five bridges collapsed in Bihar within nine days, including an under-construction bridge in Madhubani on June 28. These incidents have raised concerns about construction quality and safety measures.