Pune's Lohegaon airport pitches to become cargo hub

THE Pune customs department in India has started the process for granting approval of international air cargo movement from Lohegaon airport.

"We are taking up the matter with the Finance Ministry before we communicate our decision to the concerned airport authorities," Pune customs commissioner R Sekar said in a Times of India report.

The report said there exists a vast potential for such cargo movement given that almost 40 per cent of the international freight moving out of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) near Mumbai, originates from Pune and adjoining districts. Lack of adequate space at Lohegaon airport for handling international and domestic cargo has been a major constraint in exploiting the potential.

The airport now only caters to domestic cargo, while international cargo is being moved through customs bonded trucks from the Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Dighi 15 kilometres away.

"We are waiting for their (customs) in-principal nod," Pune airport director Deepak Shastri said. "Once we get approval, we will start raising the necessary infrastructure for customs clearance, cargo storage etc."

The customs department will require facilities such as a cargo shed for import and export consignments, examining areas, x-ray machines, seating area for customs officials, computers and allied equipment.

Currently, the airport has a 40 square metre facility located in front of the main terminal building, which is being used for domestic freight movement. "We have plans to start with international cargo ops from a 500 square metre space," said Mr Shastri.
(Source:www.schednet.com)