Date:17/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/17/stories/2008071756860100.htm

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RGIA’s inadequacy creates problems for research bodies

K. Srinivas Reddy

Lack of storage facility for refrigerated cargo

HYDERABAD: Scientific institutions in the twin cities are in a quandary. The material they import from other countries for carrying out research in different fields is getting delayed due to the inability of the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) to handle refrigerated cargo.

Scientific institutions depend on the import of live cells, bacteria, high purity chemicals, vaccines and other substances which are to be transported under regulated temperature conditions, ranging from minus 20 to minus 80 degrees Celsius.

‘No storage’

But, RGIA has no storage for refrigerated cargo, while the Begumpet airport had one handled by the State Trading Corporation (STC).

One institution carrying out research on cancer treatment is to receive a consignment of bacteria cultured in an European country. The consignment is to be transported under sub-zero conditions.

“We are forced to route it through Chennai and it certainly is a very expensive affair for us, not to speak of the time delay,” a scientist of a reputed institute said.

Most institutions are now forced to re-route their precious cargo via Mumbai or Chennai airports and Clearing and Forwarding Agents (CFAs) are being engaged to move the cargo by road in reefer containers.

“Road transit is fraught with many hazards. The consignor packs the cargo with dry ice and other chemicals keeping an estimated number of days in transit so if it extends even by a day, the cargo would be of no use”, said a top official in a scientific institution, requesting anonymity.

The research institutions hit by lack of refrigerated storage facility include various biotechnology research-based units, IICT, CCMB, CDFD, Dr. Reddy’s, Biological E, pharma industries and other academic research institutes.

RGIA has facilities to store cargo in plus two to plus eight degrees centigrade only. “We are commissioning chillers which can maintain temperatures ranging between minus five and minus 15 shortly”, an RGIA spokesman said.