Post-Ahmedabad air crash, DGCA audit reveals systemic safety lapses

THE devastating crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad, killing 275 people, has jolted the nation into confronting the simmering crisis in Indian aviation. As grief engulfs the families of the deceased, the preliminary audit by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reveals a grim reality: systemic safety lapses across the aviation ecosystem. From dangerously worn aircraft tyres and ineffective repairs to faded runway markings and poor lighting at major airports, the findings suggest not an isolated oversight but a culture of complacency. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the DGCA’s 360-degree audit framework and deployment of multidisciplinary teams are welcome steps. But the rot runs deeper.