THE Customs is in the process of granting approval for international traffic of air cargo from Lohegaon airport here. The Customs is reportedly taking up this matter with the Finance Ministry before communicating its decision to the airport authorities, the Pune Customs Commissioner, Mr R. Sekar, said.
There exists vast potential for such cargo traffic since almost 40 per cent of the international freight moving out of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNP) originates from Pune and adjoining districts.
Inadequate space at Lohegaon airport for handling international and domestic cargo has been a major constraint in exploiting this potential, it is understood.
At present, the airport caters to only domestic cargo, while international cargo is moved through custom-bonded trucks (CBTs) from the inland container depot (ICD) at Dighi, 15 km away. "We are waiting for their (Customs) in-principle nod," the Pune airport Director, Mr Deepak Shastri, said. "Once we get approval, we will start raising the necessary infrastructure for Customs clearance, cargo storage, etc." This, however, will require certain facilities like a cargo shed for import and export consignments, examining areas, X-ray machines, seating area for Customs officials, computers and allied equipment. The airport has a 40-sq. m facility in front of the main terminal building, which is being utilised for domestic freight movement. "We have plans to start with international cargo operations from a 500-sq.m area," Mr Shastri revealed.
Source: Exim News Service, Pune, 18 July 2010