responsible for flight delay(Eds: Adding a quote)New Delhi, Nov 22 (PTI) Union minister K J Alphons saidtoday he was not responsible for delay of a flight after apurported video of a passenger arguing with him at the Imphalairport went viral.
A video of an incident that happened yesterday shows apassenger, who had to attend a funeral in Patna, complainingto Alphons about the flight being delayed due to VIP movement.
President Ram Nath Kovind was scheduled to arrive at theManipur capital to inaugurate the Northeast Development Summitand several Union ministers too were participating in it.
"Three flights were delayed because of VVIP movement asthe President's flight was scheduled to arrive. Air trafficwas affected for nearly two hours," an official at Imphalairport said.
"I have to reach Patna. The body is waiting, otherwisethe body will decay. I am a doctor, I know that. The body isstill at home," a woman can be heard pleading with Alphons,who maintains his calm.
According to Alphons, he approached a woman crying at theairport and could be seen in the video losing her cool.
"She was crying and I wanted to know what happened. Shestarted saying that she had to go to Patna to attend arelative's funeral which was scheduled in the afternoon. Shewas distraught because her flight was delayed and she fearedthe body will decay.
"As a representative of the government of India, shewanted me to intervene," Alphons told PTI, amid allegationsthat he was the cause of the delay of the flight.
The Union tourism minister was accompanied by CommerceMinister Suresh Prabhu, Aviation Minister Jayant Sinha andsenior BJP leader Ram Madhav.
"I can understand her anguish but as I told her, thePresident's flight was landing and as per protocol no otherflight can land or take off at that time.
"This protocol is in place for the past 70 years and notmade by this government. I tried to tell her that her flightwill leave as soon as the President's flight lands, but shewas really in distress," Alphons said.
The minister also said that he "was not in favour" ofprotocols that encourage VIP culture and that he has alsoinformed officials that a pilot jeep should not be assignedfor him. PTI JCSC.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.