International air cargo complex inaugurated at Vizag airport

Visakhapatnam, Nov 21:  

Civil aviation in the country has received a big boost in the country during the past three-and-a -half year rule of the NDA Government, with emphasis on regional connectivity, and Andhra Pradesh in particular is at the forefront with a pro-active State Government, according to Union Civil Aviation Minister P. Ashok Gajapati Raju.

He was speaking here on Tuesday evening after inaugurating the new international air cargo complex at the airport. He said it was a small beginning and “Vizag should go on to compete with Mumbai and Chennai in handling air cargo in view of the vast potential of the area.”

He said the AP Government had given land for extension of the runways at Vijayawada and Rajahmundry to facilitate the landing of bigger aircraft. The facilities at the Vizag airport would be further improved and the new airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district would also come up for future needs of the city. “Civil Aviation has a multiplier effect on the growth of the economy and the sector will witness great changes,” he said.

The new international air cargo facility inaugurated on Tuesday has in all 674.64 sq. metres space including 120.06 sq. m. open space containing all essential facilities.

Bonded trucking movement

“ Although present focus is on pharma, marine and valuable cargo, we expect many more product groups to use the complex. Soon we will also start bonded trucking movement from this complex which will enable exporters and importers to use gateway airports like Hyderabad and Chennai for their international connectivity” Samir Mankad, the CEO and Executive Director of GSEC, which has been given the operation and maintenance of the cargo complex.

G. Prakash Reddy, the director of the airport, said the complex had all the facilities, though there was a little bit of delay in setting it up.

M. Sadhu Sundar, the Vice-chairman and Managing Director of AP Trade Promotion Corporation, said the local trade and exporters should make full use of the facilities.

Rakesh Shah, the Chairman and Managing Director of GSEC, said that his company would leverage its experience and expertise in the field “to replicate our success in air cargo handling at other airports here also. We are sure of success with the help of the local industry and trade.”

(This article was published on November 21, 2017)

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