Outgoing Cargo Services suspended at Silchar Airport; “Waiting for approval to restart,” Director

By: Kushal Deb Roy and Anirban Roy Choudhury

Another major blow for Barak Valley as Airports Authority has decided to suspend outgoing Cargo Services at Silchar Airport. As per available information, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has issued instructions for immediate closure of Cargo movement through the Terminal Building of Silchar Airport. The service will remain in abeyance until further approval.

The BCAS is an independent department under the Ministry of Civil Aviation which works on laying down standards and measures with respect to the security of civil flights at international and domestic airports in India.

The director of Silchar Airport, PK Gorai, speaking with Barak Bulletin, said that the Silchar Airport administration has already started the process to restart Cargo Services. “We have sent the proposal to restart Cargo Services. It has been sent to the competent authority and now we are waiting for approval,” informed Gorai.

The decision is likely to cause a heavy blow to the traders and the health care providers of the valley as they are the ones who regularly use the facility. Due to the suspension, essential items like Medical Test samples, Human Remains and vegetables transport are being likely to get stopped.

For all Airports in India, Cargo plays a vital role in revenue generation. “According to the process followed in India, the Airport earns money for the outgoing Cargo that it loads. For example, when the Cargo is loaded in Kolkata and lands at Silchar Airport or any other in India, it is Kolkata Airport that earns the money. Similarly, when the Cargo is loaded in Silchar for any other part of the country, we get the revenue,” explained Director Gorai.

The revenue that an airport generates plays a significant role in determining the demand and therefore, room for improvement. Gorai is optimistic that the Outgoing Cargo Services will restart soon. However, history is witness to the fact that once service gets suspended in Barak Valley, it is an uphill task to get it restored.

Department of Cargo plays multiple functions at the air cargo terminals and, under AAI Act, 1994, establishes, manages & developes cargo terminals at the airports in the country for the storage and processing of goods in terms of AAI Act, 55 of 1994 para b(3) and as amended in 2003. AN acts as a custodian of International Cargo u/s 45 of Customs Act, 1962.

Post establishment of Joint Venture Companies at some of the Indian Airports and Cargo Terminals managed by AAI, a competitive environment was created for Cargo handling to provide the best services to the Cargo Stakeholders.