Work on air cargo complex commences

Work on carrying out the necessary modifications at the old terminal building at the Tiruchi Airport, to create infrastructure for the air cargo complex, began here.

The Airports Authority of India has initiated steps to create the infrastructure for the cargo complex following the issue of the notification by the Central Board of Excise and Customs, a few months back, permitting “unloading of imported goods and loading of export goods or any class of such goods,” at the airport. In March this year, a two-member team of the AAI from New Delhi had visited the airport to assess the infrastructure requirements.

The old terminal building would be modified at a cost of about Rs.57 lakh and the bhoomi pooja for the project was performed on Friday. Airport Controller Mr. Dharmaraj told The Hindu that the work is expected to be completed by the second week of September.

All standard equipment and facilities that were required for an air cargo complex would come up under the project.

The complex would include transhipment godowns, cold storage facility for perishable goods and a separate enclosure for hazardous goods and a strong room for valuable items. Separate facilities and space would be provided for export and import goods. X-ray scanning machines and weighing equipment would also be installed.

According to estimates, the airport had a potential to attract about 6,000 to 7,000 tonnes of cargo annually within the next couple of years.