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Calcutta airport lacks infrastructure

ALTHOUGH the country's first air cargo complex was set up at Calcutta airport as early as 1974, the facilities there, even more than a quarter century later, leave much to be desired, complain the air cargo agents operating at the complex.

The major problem relates to the lack of infrastructure -- the space available in the holding area is small, and the facilities inadequate. For example, the air cargo agents were assured an electronic weighing machine in the truck dock area two years ago, but nothing is in sight yet. Forklifts too are in short supply.

Most cargo flights are at night, yet, there is no system of depositing the cargo at that hour. The representatives of the regulatory authorities are not always available. The agents have appealed for the weighing of the consignment before placing it at t he examination area but the appeal has gone unheeded. This could be why several foreign airlines have withdrawn their freighter services from Calcutta.

Finally, the national carrier, Air-India, for reasons best known to it, has preferred to skip the eastern region. Air-India's only international flight through Calcutta to Tokyo was withdrawn in March this year. Repeated requests to reintroduce the fligh t have yielded no results. As a result, the exports of silk and leather goods and perishables from the region have suffered.

About three years ago, the Airport Authority of India made an announcement on the construction of a new cargo complex at Calcutta airport. Till today not a brick has been laid, points out a spokesman for the Air Cargo Agents Association of India in the eastern region. -- Our Bureau