No space for cargo agents

No space for cargo agents
DH News Service ,Bangalore :
The commercial operations at the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) might have commenced last week providing air commuters finally an opportunity to fly in and out of the much delayed airport.


But, for the Cargo fraternity it is still a long way before they get to use the cargo facilities at the airport. “The Cargo fraternity is unhappy as there is no office space and warehouse for cargo agents. It’s very challenging for our trade as our staff have to travel almost almost 80 kms up and down, spending half a day travelling, which could have been avoided if they had provided office space,” Bangalore Air Cargo Club president Nirmal Singh Sandhu told Deccan Herald.
The Cargo fraternity which is presently operating from their old offices at the HAL Airport say that they have to shell out Rs 250 to 300 to each of staff for their travelling and other expenses. Besides, most of them also end up paying overtime wages, said representatives from the Cargo Industry.
The Cargo fraternity said they were assured of space at the airport by the BIAL during the time of the airport opening date. However, it has been postponed till June.
Monopoly promoted:
They were also annoyed with BIAL’s decision to provide office space only to one MNC Company, which they said, was unfair. “The whole trade is struggling to get a little space to operate day-to-day business. We don't know on what criteria BIAL has decided to provide this space to just one company. There were no bidding of any sort while awarding the space to the MNC’s,” said Sandhu.
The representatives say that the things will further complicate and that the air cargo operators would meet this week to take a final decision on the next course of action.