Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Ahmedabad Plane Crash: DGCA Orders Close Monitoring of Boeing 787 Aircraft, Safety Standards to Be Tightened
New Delhi: The recent plane crash near Ahmedabad airport has deeply shocked the nation. Addressing the media on Friday, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu stated that air safety is the government’s top priority, and in response to this tragic incident, the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has ordered enhanced surveillance of all Boeing 787 aircraft in the country.
Crucial Information Expected from the Black Box
The minister informed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has recovered the black box from the crash site and decoding is currently underway.
“The AAIB team believes the black box will provide in-depth insight into what transpired during or just before the crash. We are eagerly awaiting the detailed findings of the investigation,” he said.
Boeing 787 Fleet Under Fresh Safety Scrutiny
Ram Mohan Naidu emphasized that while strict safety protocols are already in place, the crash has highlighted the need for more detailed inspections of the Boeing 787 series.
He added that India’s current fleet includes 34 Boeing 787 aircraft, 8 of which have already been inspected, and the remaining will be checked at the earliest.
Minister Visited the Crash Site
The Civil Aviation Minister also mentioned that he personally visited the crash site to assess the situation and coordinate with rescue teams.
“Upon arrival, we saw that multiple departments were actively engaged in rescue operations — extinguishing the fire, clearing the debris, and ensuring the deceased were sent to hospitals promptly,” he noted.
Condolences to the Families of the Victims
The minister expressed deep condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy.
“These past two days have been extremely difficult. I extend my heartfelt sympathies to all the families who have lost their loved ones. The central government, the Gujarat government, and our ministry are working together to ensure complete support for the victims’ families,” he added.
A Wake-Up Call for Stronger Safety Measures
Following this tragic incident, the central government has signaled stricter enforcement of aviation safety standards. The black box investigation is expected to reveal the root cause of the crash, potentially serving as a critical step in preventing similar incidents in the future.