KOLKATA: The cargo facility at
Kolkata airport is headed for a major fillip with an express
courier terminal being set up. A further investment of Rs 100 crore is on the anvil to expand the domestic and export cargo capacity.
Speaking to TOI, Airports Authority of India Cargo Logistics & Allied Services (AAI-CLAS) chief executive officer Keku Bomi Gazder said the express cargo terminal was ready with the necessary infrastructure in place.
“We are looking at the outsourcing model with a professional firm providing the operational services,” he said.
The new express courier facility inside the terminalIn the absence of an express courier terminal, export and import of courier was carried out via Delhi. This led to delays in shipment of courier cargo where expediency is crucial. The new facility with an operational area of 12,000sqft spread over two floors will be a boon, said an official of an international courier company.
“The facility can easily handle 6,000 tonnes of courier cargo annually,” said Kolkata airport deputy general manager (cargo) Rahul Nandy.
AAI-CLAS is also finalising a plan to invest Rs 60 crore-Rs 80 crore to set up a domestic common-user terminal spread over more than 1 lakh sqft. This will have multi-level storage for inbound and outbound cargo.
“This facility will cater to the increased movement of domestic
air cargo for the next 15-20 years,” said Gazder.
Kolkata airport currently has a cargo terminal spread over nearly 2.5 lakh sqft and capable of handling 1 lakh tonnes of cargo, including perishables, for both domestic and international markets. With 13 truck docks and two aircraft parking bays, it is the largest cargo terminal in the east and northeast.
AAI-CLAS is now setting up a logistics warehouse to facilitate importers/exporters to bring cargo from their remotely located hubs during lean traffic and get it ready to carriage/distribute.
“This will cut short the transit time from airport to warehouses and complement the logistic value chain,” explained Nandy.
The proposed facility with a projected investment of Rs 25 crore will be spread over 27,000 sqft and have a three-level store area. The facility is proposed to be completed by August 2020.