Cargo, a worry at new airport

Cargo, a worry at new airport

Krishnaprasad



THE CARGO MESS: Work in progress at the Air Cargo Warehouse at Bengaluru International Airport in Devanahalli.

Bangalore: The incomplete air cargo warehouse at the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) premises has become a cause for worry for the industry in the city about the safety of goods stored on the premises.

Even air cargo agents and customs house agents too are unhappy about insufficient space and lack of infrastructure at the cargo warehouses.

They pointed out that one of the warehouses being built by the Air India-SATS Cargo Handling Ltd. is not yet complete and it is not possible to store goods worth cores of rupees when hundreds of men are at work. “How did the Customs Department has declared the premises as bonded customs warehouses in the absence of infrastructure?,” asked some of the cargo and customs house agents who are struggling to establish their offices at the new airport. They pointed out that the proposed cargo village, where they were promised permanent office spaces, is still under construction and it is likely to take at least three months to be ready. “Now our association representatives have informed us that we have to pay at least Rs. 200 a square feet (including rent for a small space and facilities like phone, computer connection) for the temporary space to be provided within the warehouses,” an agent told The Hindu. “This is an exorbitant demand when compared to the rental that we have to pay once the cargo village is complete. We will be paying about Rs. 50 a square foot at the cargo village. Why should we pay exorbitant charges for none of our mistakes?”

“Is it not the responsibility of the promoters of the new airport to provide us with the sufficient space and infrastructure well before the commencement of commercial operations?” asked some agents. They hoped that the High Court, which is hearing petitions dealing with various issues concerned with the BIA and HAL airport, will come to their rescue.

They want the authorities to postpone the launch of commercial operation till all infrastructure is ready for commencing air cargo transportation.