Cargo shipments fail to take off from Srinagar International Airport

Srinagar: Although two months have elapsed since Srinagar air port was thrown open for international traffic but cargo shipments to international destinations continue to pass through Delhi adding to the freight costs of Kashmir exporters.
It was on 14th of February this year when Srinagar airport was elevated to the status of an international landing field with the primary objective of giving a fillip to local trade and commerce but not a single international cargo has made its way to any of the worldwide market. Add to it neither a cargo complex of international level has been erected nor are the consignments of local exporters cleared for customs to be ferried directly to any other country.
Currently week end flights are operating between Srinagar and Dubai but all international consignment are shipped through Delhi. The government assurance that infrastructure for landing of nine planes simultaneously by June 2009 has also fallen flat according to well informed sources.
“Air Indian, the main airliner flying between Kashmir and Dubai does not accept international cargo through their flight”, said Dr Mubin Shah, President of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries.
“We have to bear an additional burden for every international shipment as we have to pay for its freight up to Delhi before it is sent to Dubai”, he said.
Opening of international airport is appreciable but we should have the necessary infrastructure for the purpose, he said. Forwarding of shipments to Dubai via Delhi delays the delivery of our export consignments besides adding to the costs, he added.
09/04/09 Rashid Paul/Rising Kashmir

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Categories: Airports Apr 2009, Cargo Apr 2009