PM Modi Addresses IndiGo Crisis: 'Rules to Improve System, Not Harass People'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has underlined the importance of ensuring that government regulations do not burden ordinary people, according to details shared by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.

His remarks came during a morning meeting with lawmakers of the BJP led National Democratic Alliance, where the IndiGo crisis surfaced as a key point of discussion.

PM Stresses Accountability in Governance

Rijiju said the Prime Minister reminded party colleagues of the responsibility officials hold while dealing with public facing regulations. According to him, the PM said, "It is our responsibility to ensure that no citizen of India faces any hardship from the government simply because they are Indian citizens. Rules and regulations are good... but they should be used to improve the system, not harass the public."

The meeting was originally scheduled to prepare for a debate on electoral reforms, a subject already tense because of the Election Commission's nationwide voter re verification exercise. The upcoming session is expected to witness sharp political exchanges from both sides of the House.

Government Signals Tough Stand on IndiGo

The Centre has taken a firm line on the operational collapse that hit IndiGo over the past week. Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu told Parliament that the airline would face serious consequences, especially in light of passenger distress and the massive disruption caused by crew shortages.

The minister said his ministry intends to create an example for other carriers. "We care for pilots, crew and passengers. We made it clear to all the airlines. IndiGo was supposed to manage the crew and roster. Passengers faced a lot of difficulties. We are not taking the situation lightly. We will take strict action. We will set an example for every airline. If there will be any non-compliance, we will act," he stated.

IndiGo, which accounts for more than 60 percent of the domestic aviation market share, has already processed refunds worth over Rs 830 crore while also seeing a steep erosion of about Rs 37,000 crore in market value.

Weeklong Disruptions Hit Flyers Across India

The airline's troubles began after the rollout of stricter regulations concerning crew fatigue and duty hours issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. The new rules required tighter scheduling, reduced flying hours for pilots and longer rest periods. IndiGo's inability to adapt in time triggered a chain reaction that resulted in widespread cancellations. Industry estimates indicate that more than 4,500 flights were grounded in a span of seven days as the carrier scrambled to comply.

Passengers shared images and accounts of long queues, extended delays and missed commitments on social media. Many reported being stranded while travelling for urgent family and medical reasons, intensifying public anger toward the airline.

Refund Backlogs Add to Passenger Concerns

IndiGo has committed to full refunds for all affected customers and removed charges for rescheduling or cancellations. However, the airline had sold more than 9.5 lakh tickets during the period, creating delays in processing refunds. In some cases, passengers raised concerns of incorrect transactions, adding further frustration to an already difficult situation.