Viral video of waterlogging at Noida International Airport sparks debate, airport officials deny flooding
Sunil Negi
New Delhi, August 12, 2026_
NOIDA: A brief social media post by senior journalist Sheetal P Singh sharing a video of waterlogging at the newly built Noida International Airport has triggered a fresh debate over infrastructure quality and corruption, with the journalist asking: _”अब इस देश को भ्रष्टाचार से कौन बचा सकता है?”_
In the post, Singh cited journalist Govind Pratap Singh and pointed to the cost of the project — Phase-1: ₹11,282 crore, with the *total estimated cost across all stages pegged at around ₹29,560 crore. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the airport on 28 March 2026, and questioned its condition after the first monsoon rains.
The viral clip, shared widely on YouTube channels and X, alleged that parts of the Jewar airport were submerged after the first monsoon shower. The Congress also shared the video seeking answers on construction quality.
However, Noida International Airport officials responded saying “No Flooding Reported” at the terminal and maintained that the viral video does not reflect any flooding incident at the airport. Officials have not specified where in the premises the video was shot.
It may be recalled that the Phase-1 of Noida International Airport at Jewar was developed by Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, a 100% subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG.
– Cost Phase-1: ₹11,200 crore
– Runway: 3,900-metre runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft
– Capacity: 1.2 crore passengers annually in Phase-1, scalable to 7 crore
– DGCA licence: Granted in March 2026 with approval for “all-weather operations”
– International flights: Expected to begin from September 2026.
The airport site had earlier faced drainage and waterlogging issues during construction. An official had told Fortune India that the site “suffered from water absorption, waterlogging, and drainage issues” which delayed the project by about a year, but that “inter-departmental teams have now addressed all the challenges, and the issue is resolved”.
In July 2026, Delhi-NCR received heavy monsoon rain with 228.1 mm rainfall and red/orange alerts. Severe waterlogging was reported in several parts of Noida including Sector 115, but airport authorities said operations were not impacted.
Separately, a water pipeline supplying the airport developed leaks at Flaida Bangar village, flooding nearby fields. YEIDA said repair teams were deployed and supply to the airport was being restored. The airport requires around 4 MLD of water per day for Phase-1.
Sheetal P Singh, known for his outspoken posts on social media and YouTube, used the video to question accountability in large public projects. Airport officials, however, insist the facility is built to international standards with ILS, runway lighting and drainage systems in place for all-weather operations.
With domestic operations slated to begin soon and international flights from September, authorities say monitoring of drainage and infrastructure will continue through the monsoon.
