New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, representing Thiruvananthapuram, expressed frustration over flight delays at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport as he made his way to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his constituency. Tharoor described the airport as “dysfunctional” in a post on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the challenges faced by travelers due to operational inefficiencies.
Despite the delays, Tharoor managed to arrive on time to welcome PM Modi, who was in Kerala to officially commission the Vizhinjam International Seaport. Tharoor shared photographs of the reception and emphasized his pride in being involved with the port project from its inception.
The delays at the Delhi airport have been attributed to easterly winds and the closure of one runway for upgradation works. The Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) had previously issued advisories regarding potential delays due to shifting wind patterns, though these were specifically for April 29 and not for the day of Tharoor’s travel.
Tharoor’s comments add to ongoing discussions about the state of India’s aviation infrastructure, with previous instances of flight disruptions leading to political debates. In January 2024, Tharoor criticized the government’s handling of airport operations, labeling the chaos as a “Modi government-made disaster.” Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia responded by dismissing Tharoor as an “armchair critic,” accusing him of lacking depth in understanding technical sectors like civil aviation
As PM Modi’s visit to Kerala underscores significant infrastructure developments, Tharoor’s remarks bring attention to the need for improvements in airport operations and management.
