<p>The special aircraft, Air India 1, was damaged when a loader vehicle hit the cargo door of the plane just hours before take-off. As a result, a standby plane (normally kept ready) had to be summoned. <br /><br />The PM’s entourage finally left New Delhi after a delay of three hours. One person has been suspended.<br /><br />The PM’s plane “Agra”, was to leave the IGI airport technical area (New Delhi air force station) at 2.30 pm. Around 1 pm, the loader trolley carrying food items brushed against AI 1 causing a dent. The aircraft was empty at that time. <br /><br />The Special Protection Group, which provides security to the Prime Minister, detected the dent and pressed the alarm button. Soon, top officials B K Dey, secretary (security), SPG director B V Wanchoo, Cabinet secretary K M Chandrasekhar and principal secretary to the PM, T K A Nair held a discussion and took the decision to summon the standby aircraft. The PM and his team finally left by ‘Khajuraho’ at 5.30 pm.<br /><br />Speaking to reporters after seeing off the PM, civil aviation minister Praful Patel said: “The aircraft was slightly damaged by a loader vehicle... We have suspended the loader.”<br />“He is not new to the job, so we are trying to find out whether any mala fide intent was involved,” the minister added.</p>
<p>The special aircraft, Air India 1, was damaged when a loader vehicle hit the cargo door of the plane just hours before take-off. As a result, a standby plane (normally kept ready) had to be summoned. <br /><br />The PM’s entourage finally left New Delhi after a delay of three hours. One person has been suspended.<br /><br />The PM’s plane “Agra”, was to leave the IGI airport technical area (New Delhi air force station) at 2.30 pm. Around 1 pm, the loader trolley carrying food items brushed against AI 1 causing a dent. The aircraft was empty at that time. <br /><br />The Special Protection Group, which provides security to the Prime Minister, detected the dent and pressed the alarm button. Soon, top officials B K Dey, secretary (security), SPG director B V Wanchoo, Cabinet secretary K M Chandrasekhar and principal secretary to the PM, T K A Nair held a discussion and took the decision to summon the standby aircraft. The PM and his team finally left by ‘Khajuraho’ at 5.30 pm.<br /><br />Speaking to reporters after seeing off the PM, civil aviation minister Praful Patel said: “The aircraft was slightly damaged by a loader vehicle... We have suspended the loader.”<br />“He is not new to the job, so we are trying to find out whether any mala fide intent was involved,” the minister added.</p>
