'He Was Collecting Money For Daughter's Wedding': Family Of Cab Driver Who Died In Delhi Airport Roof Collapse

The family of the 45-year-old taxi driver is in shock and grief after they lost the sole breadwinner of their family in the deadly roof collapse incident at Delhi airport. Ramesh Kumar, the taxi driver, was initially rescued from the car on which an iron beam had fallen but was declared dead when he was taken to the Medanta Hospital near the terminal.

Ramesh, a resident of Vijay Vihar in Delhi’s Rohini, died after the roof of Delhi airport’s terminal-1 collapsed following heavy rainfall in the national capital on Friday. He had two sons and two daughters, and he was the only provider for his family.

Following the tragic incident, the deceased’s son, Ravindra, expressed concern about how the family would manage without their father’s support. “We received a call on Friday morning. They told us that our father fainted at the airport and had been taken to the hospital. But they did not tell us that such a tragedy has occurred,” Ravindra was quoted as saying.

“Me and my family members had no clue about anything. When I reached there, I got to know that my father had died after a portion of the roof collapse on his car,” Ravindra was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Ramesh is survived by his wife Asha, two sons, Ravinder (25) and Ashish (22), and two daughters, Rashi (21) and Bhawana (18) — all of whom stay at a rented house in the Vijay Vihar area of Rohini close to Sector 7. Asha works as a domestic help in Rohini.

Reportedly, the wedding of Ramesh’s daughter is upcoming, and the family is now worried about how they will manage the expenses.

“I also drive a cab. We were collecting money for my younger sister Rashi’s marriage. The announced compensation is very meager for my family as we are four brothers and sisters and I had to marry them all. The government must announce at least Rs 1 crore as compensation.

Ramesh’s family has called for strict action against those responsible for the incident. “Why did the airport authorities not check everything before the monsoon,” he asked. “We will surely file a police complaint and will fight for justice. Police must investigate the matter properly and to arrest those who are responsible,” Ravinder said.

Due to the rain, there were very less passengers Friday morning and many cab drivers were waiting for passengers under the canopy, he said.

Delhi Airport Announces Compensation

The Delhi Airport authorities announced a compensation of Rs 20 lakh to the family of the deceased, and Rs 3 lakh each to those injured. “Delhi Airport is extending all support to the families of the individuals. We have announced a compensation of Rs.20 Lakh to the family of the deceased, and Rs.3 Lakh each to those injured,” Delhi Airport posted on X.

Additionally, the Ministry of Civil Aviation ordered an inquiry into the collapse, along with an inspection of the structural strength of airports across the country. It asked airlines to ensure the incident does not lead to a steep jump in airfares.