Indore Airport Runway Issue Forces Flight Diversions to Bhopal
Two IndiGo flights scheduled to land at Indore Airport were unexpectedly diverted to Bhopal on Tuesday after airport authorities discovered loose bitumen on a section of the runway. The incident occurred during routine inspections amid ongoing recarpeting work at the facility.
Immediate Response and Quick Resolution
According to the Indore Airport Public Relations Officer, the issue was identified during a standard inspection while runway recarpeting was in progress. "Some loose bitumen was observed on a section of the runway surface," the official stated. The Civil Engineering team responded immediately, completing necessary repair and cleaning work within just 20 minutes.
After thorough safety checks confirmed the runway was fit for operations, air traffic control resumed normal flight activities. The affected flights were:
- IndiGo flight 6E6605 (Delhi to Indore)
- IndiGo flight 6E6219 (Raipur to Indore)
Both aircraft were safely redirected to Bhopal's Raja Bhoj Airport during the temporary disruption.
Separate Fire Incident at Airport Perimeter
In an unrelated development, a fire broke out late Wednesday in the dry grass within the non-operational area of Indore Airport. Fire Sub Inspector Roopchand Pandit confirmed that firefighting teams were promptly deployed to control the blaze.
"No casualties were reported in the incident, and flight operations continued uninterrupted," officials emphasized. Local laborers at the site reported the fire spread to adjacent campus areas and nearby jungle terrain.
One laborer told ANI: "We have been worried for a very long time, and we called everyone... The fire brigade has arrived, and everyone is trying to extinguish the fire." The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Airport Operations Return to Normal
Despite these back-to-back incidents, Indore Airport authorities maintained operational continuity. The runway issue was resolved efficiently without significant delays to the overall flight schedule, while the perimeter fire was contained without affecting aviation activities.
This incident highlights the importance of regular runway maintenance and swift emergency response protocols at Indian airports. Passengers on the diverted flights experienced temporary inconvenience but were safely accommodated through established diversion procedures.
