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Indore Airport Runway Bitumen Issue Diverts Flights, Separate Fire Breaks Out

Two IndiGo flights were diverted to Bhopal after loose bitumen was discovered on the Indore Airport runway during ongoing recarpeting work. Airport authorities resolved the issue within 20 minutes, allowing normal operations to resume quickly. In a separate incident, a fire broke out in dry grass within the airport's non-operational area, spreading across a significant distance. Officials confirmed no casualties and that flight operations were not affected by the fire.

Key Points: Indore Airport Runway Issue Diverts Flights, Grass Fire Contained

  • Flights diverted to Bhopal
  • Runway repair completed in 20 minutes
  • Separate grass fire reported
  • No casualties from either incident
  • Flight operations now normal
2 min read

Loose bitumen on Indore Airport runway leads to diversion of 2 IndiGo flights, flight operations now normal

Two IndiGo flights diverted after loose bitumen found on Indore Airport runway during recarpeting. A separate grass fire in non-operational area was contained.

"During routine inspection... some loose bitumen was observed on a section of the runway surface. - Indore Airport PRO"

Indore, March 10

Two IndiGo flights bound for Indore from Delhi and Raipur were diverted to Bhopal on Tuesday after authorities noticed loose bitumen on the runway during a routine inspection amid ongoing recarpeting work.

The Indore Airport PRO confirmed that the issue was resolved within minutes to avoid a longer backup, and the Civil Engineering team immediately attended the site, and the required repair and cleaning work was completed within 20 minutes to ensure the surface was safe for landing.

According to the Indore Airport PRO, "During routine inspection, while runway recarpeting work is in progress, some loose bitumen was observed on a section of the runway surface. The Civil Engineering team immediately attended the site, and the required repair and cleaning work was completed within 20 minuteS. After ensuring that the runway surface was safe and fit for operations, the runway was handed over to ATC for the resumption of flight operations. Due to the temporary disruption, two *IndiGo* flights, *6E6605 (DEL-IDR)* and *6E6219 (RPR-IDR), were diverted to **Bhopal*. Normal flight operations have since resumed."

Meanwhile, on late Wednesday fire broke out in the dry grass in the non-operational area of Indore Airport in Madhya Pradesh.

No casualties were reported, and flight operations continued uninterrupted, an official said.

According to Fire Sub Inspector Roopchand Pandit, efforts to douse the flames have been initiated, and no casualties have been reported from the incident so far.

"We received information that a fire broke out in the grassy premises inside Indore airport. Efforts to douse the fire are underway, and no casualties have been reported..." said Pandit.

The fire had spread through the adjacent campus and the nearby jungle area.

Meanwhile, several local labourers reported that the fire had spread across an area of approximately 10 to 12 kilometres. The cause of the blaze remains unknown.

"After confirming the incident... fire engines were sent. Till then, the fire spread through 5-6 km; now it has spread across 10-12 km..." said a labourer.

"Even we don't know how this happened, we have been worried for a very long time, and we called everyone... We don't know how far this fire has spread yet. The fire brigade has also arrived, and everyone is trying to extinguish the fire..." said another labourer.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good to see the quick response by the Civil Engineering team! Resolving it in 20 minutes and ensuring safety is commendable. These things can happen during upgrade work. The real issue seems to be the separate fire incident. A fire spreading 10-12 km in the airport area is extremely serious. Hope they find the cause soon. 🔥
A
Aman W
First a runway issue, then a massive fire? Indore Airport is having a rough week. Passengers on those diverted flights must have had a stressful time. At least operations are normal now. But the fire in the non-operational area is worrying - how does a fire spread so far without immediate control? Questions need to be asked.
S
Sarah B
As a frequent flyer to Indore, this is unsettling. The diversion to Bhopal causes major inconvenience. While I appreciate the precaution, it highlights infrastructure pressures. Airports are expanding rapidly but maintenance protocols must keep pace. The fire incident just adds to the feeling of lapses in safety management.
K
Karthik V
The real heroes are the ground staff and fire brigade who handled both situations. Fixing the runway in 20 mins is no small task. And battling a 12 km fire? Respect. 🙏 However, the authorities must investigate thoroughly. Was the fire related to the recarpeting work? Dry grass near an airport is a huge hazard that should be managed proactively.
V
Varun X
This is why we need better infrastructure planning. Recarpeting work should be scheduled in a way that minimizes risk. And a fire of that scale points to poor housekeeping of the non-operational area. Thankfully no casualties, but it's a wake-up

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