Windscreen of plane to carry Aviation Minister cracks before

A Delhi-bound IndiGo aircraft, scheduled to fly Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and other passengers, developed a windscreen crack minutes before its take-off from Nagpur airport this evening.

Raju, who visited Nagpur earlier in the day, was waiting to board the 8 PM (6E-202) flight when the crack was noticed.

Nagpur airport officials have confirmed the development, saying the minister had not boarded the plane, but was just waiting to board.

When the aircraft landed, its windshield was found cracked, an official of the state-run airport said, requesting anonymity.

The official added that the airline has made an alternative aircraft available.
 

The number of passengers could not be known immediately.