Date:27/09/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/09/27/stories/2004092712550500.htm

Tamil Nadu

Chennai air cargo complex registers 11 per cent growth

By T.S. Shankar

CHENNAI, SEPT. 26. The Airports Authority of India's (AAI) cargo complex here registered a 11.46 per cent growth with exports alone touching 7.64 per cent during 2003-04.

The complex handled 1,19,542 tonnes of international cargo during 2003-04. Of this, exports accounted for 66,768 tonnes, import 47,876 tonnes and transhipment cargo 4898 tonnes, the Chennai Airport Director, R.J. Treasuryvala, said.

Pointing out that 18 international freighter airlines operated out of Chennai, apart from the domestic carriers, he said cargo movement in 2004-05 was expected to cross 1,31,496 tonnes, with exports alone touching 73,445 tonnes.

Exclusive complex

With the Chennai airport, strategically positioned in proximity to South East Asia, the AAI prepared designs to construct an exclusive export cargo complex.

"We have already forwarded the drawings with minor changes to the AAI's planning department in New Delhi to make the proposed complex an integrated one." Among the five major gateways, Chennai topped the list, achieving a record growth in a short span of time.

Out of the 66,768 tonnes of export cargo handled during 2003-04, flori and horticulture accounted for 75 tonnes and 3,462 tonnes of marine products.

The complex was handling a mix of commodities with textile and garments and leather and leather goods topping the list. Carpets, chemical products, electronics and electrical goods, engineering goods, spare parts, live animals, medicines, printed materials and tobacco, besides hazardous cargo formed the major freight profile, Mr. Treasuryvala said.

Phase-I complex, constructed at an estimated cost of Rs.43 crores and declared open by the former Prime Minister, A.B. Vajpayee, had a total covered area of 9,866 square metres, with a cargo offloading area of 779 square metres, an examination area of 1,620 square metres, and a bonded area of 4,131 square metres, besides 14 truck loading points.