CHENNAI: While cyclone Vardah wreaked havoc in Chennai, the much maligned glass panels in the new terminal buildings of the city airport came out with flying colours.
Since the past few years, the panels had been collapsing for no apparent reason. That trend changed during the cyclone, since the 22,000 glass panels withstood the nature’s fury.
Chennai Airport Director G Chandramouli claimed that the sound design, high quality of materials used in installation and workmanship were proof for the strength and stability of the facades even during cyclonic storm.
“The glass facades in Chennai Airport ( upto 30 m in height and 250 m in length) have been critically tested and have practically proven for its strength and safety. This should put to rest any doubts and fears in the minds of public,” he said.
Interestingly, a study commissioned by the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, had said that breaking of glass is not due to inadequate supporting system or quality of glass or worksmanship.
“Nickel sulphide induced fracture is the only cause for the spontaneous breakage of glass and this phenomenon will reduce drastically over a period of time,” the report said.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) report had advised the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to erect a barricade or divider where there was movement of public. “Moreover, as the glass is toughened and when it breaks, it is likely to fall in fragments and may not cause serious injury to anybody,” the report said.
IIT conducted the study in the wake of strong criticism from various quarter over breaking of glass panels, nearly 65 times, since the terminal buildings were opened. Even the National Human Rights Commission had issued notices to the Civil Aviation Ministry and Airports Authority of India based on complaints.