Cargo Village at BIA is still half full

Bangalore: The Cargo Village at the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA), built at an estimated cost of Rs 12 crore, has failed to impress the cargo agents.
Even though the Village was inaugurated in 2008, so far only 50 per cent of the units have been occupied by the cargo agents. Considerable delay in throwing open the Village for commercial activities could be the reason, said sources in Air Cargo Agents Association of India (ACCAI).
Air cargo agents are provided with only temporary warehouse facilities. Even though, the warehouse was to start its operations in 2009, the Village started functioning only a few months ago.
Moreover, a greater majority of the over 500 cargo agents in the City have set up their own separate warehouses near the airport.
Though the cargo agents are expecting growth in the next year, issues related to infrastructure may hamper the growth of the air cargo industry in the City, a senior member of ACCAI noted.
An agent has to shell out Rs 5,000 to own a mini office unit and 750 sqft of space costs Rs 15,000. Despite such high rent, the Village lacks basic infrastructure facilities, claimed the cargo agents.
28/11/10 Deccan Herald/Bangalore

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Categories: Cargo Nov 2010