Indias first-ever 'Cargo Village' opens at BIA

Indias first-ever 'Cargo Village' opens at BIA
DH News Service, Bangalore:
Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) on Monday inaugurated a 'Cargo Village' at the airline cargo terminal, which it said is the first-of-its-kind in an airport in India.


In a release issued here, BIAL stated the village, spread over 11 acres with adequate provision for future expansion, the facility is expected to strengthen Bangalore's position as a trade and commercial hub while ensuring faster clearances of import and export consignments from the cargo terminals at the airport.
The facility, completed over a period of 10 months, has been built with an investment of Rs 12 crore.

Ready in Jan

Equipped to house 120 freight forwarders and 80 custom house agents, it will be ready for occupation from Jan 1, 2009. It will be managed by the cargo associations.

Essential facilities at the warehouse such as banks, conference rooms, training rooms, business centre, help desk, staff canteen, truck parking, etc make it a truly advanced facility.

The Cargo Village will also accommodate parking of nearly 80 trucks.

Job opportunities

"Cargo development is a key focus of Bengaluru International Airport Limited 's core business strategy. With the inauguration of the cargo village we will be able to further enhance existing cargo operations for Bangalore. Our airport has witnessed both a quantitative increase in terms of export facility area and qualitative improvement in terms of storage and handling capabilities to promote the outflow of goods. The facility will generate employment opportunities and create a better working environment for its occupants," said Albert Brunner, CEO, BIAL, after the inauguration.

The Cargo Village was inaugurated by members of the executive management of BIAL and executive office members of ACAAI (Air Cargo Agents Association of India) and BCHAAL (Bangalore Custom House Agents Association Limited).

This is in addition to the current facilities that include two operational cargo terminals - built and operated by Menzies Aviation Bobba Pvt Ltd and Air India SATS Joint Venture consortium.

Till date, the airport has handled about 70,905 tons of cargo.

Together, they have the capacity to handle twice Bangalore's current annual cargo requirement which stands at 170,000 tons.