The new Islamabad International Airport was built at a staggering and rather extravagant cost of over Rs 100 billion. Considered as the technological marvel and the most advanced airport in Pakistan by many, the new Airport gave up against its very first round of rains.
Islamabad witnessed pleasant weather after a heavy rain yesterday, however, the airport seemed to be at the losing end of it. Just as the rain caught pace, the airport’s floor started getting flooded with water.
Yeah, you heard that right. Rs 100 billion spent and the airport failed to withstand the impact of an average rainfall. The airport’s ceiling started to leak exposing the Civil Aviation Authority’s poor construction work.
The rainwater accumulated at the briefing area and other places as passengers faced difficulties in getting in and out. The staff at the airport kept drying the floors, however, the efforts were of no use and water kept coming in. The sewerage system at airport is also not fully functional.
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“After the rainwater flooded the operational offices of airlines located at the ramp area of the airport, the wastewater was pumped out but the mud which came in with the water, chocked the pipelines and toilets rendering them unuseable. This has resulted in problems for the staff working at the airport,” a source told ProPakistani.
Many airlines confirmed that floodwater entered their offices and damaged precious equipment including computers, wireless and electronic gadgets.
Rainwater also flooded the runway and parking area of aircraft which was flushed out a few hours after the rain stopped.
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is in a state of denial. The Public Relation Officer of CAA, Farah Hussain, denied that any water flooded the airport and claimed that all the videos are fake.
“There is no damage to the roof of the terminal building and no flooding occurred at airlines offices,” Farah Hussain told ProPakistani.
You can watch the footages of the rain wreaking havoc inside the airport’s building:
Here is another detailed clip where water is seen entering the offices.
Are you satisfied with the construction work at the new Islamabad International Airport?
By: Aitzaz Hassan & Raja Kamran
