A Detailed Project Report (DPR) is being prepared by RITES Limited – a government of India enterprise for establishing an international air cargo hub at the Chennai airport.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation had earlier nominated RITES Limited to prepare the DPR for cargo hubs in Delhi and Chennai and the report is expected to be submitted to the Ministry by January 15 this year, according to a statement.
According to the Draft National Civil Aviation Policy, 2015, though air cargo had a high employment potential, especially for semi-skilled workers, currently its volumes in India are extremely low as compared to other leading countries due to high charges and high turnaround time.
To ensure growth in the sector, the policy aims to accord ‘infrastructure’ status to air cargo, if co-located with an airport and it would be eligible for Sec 80IA benefits. Section 80-IA of the Income-Tax Act, 1961, provides a 10-year tax holiday for infrastructure projects.
The recently-constituted Air Cargo Logistics Promotion Board (ACLPB), which aims at promoting growth in air cargo, is also expected to submit a detailed action plan to reduce dwell time of air cargo from ‘aircraft to truck’ to below 24 hours by December 31, 2016 and to six hours by December 31, 2017.
The cargo terminal at Chennai Airport established in February 1978 is spread over 19.5 acres with the annual handling capacity of 11,02,373 MT. It had handled 2,20,401 MT during 2013-14.
Published - January 02, 2016 12:00 am IST
