Efforts on for Establishing Air Cargo Complex in Mangalore

Daijiworld Media Network

Mangalore, Dec 21: That Mangalore is easily accessible to the rest of the country by land,  rail, air and sea is a well known.  This connectivity advantage has played a pivotal role in Mangalore emerging as an important economic and commercial place in Karnataka after Bangalore. Ever since international flights have started operating from Mangalore International  Airport, the city is now best reached by air.  With such easy accessibility to this port city, Kanara Chamber of Commerce  and Industry  (KCCI) of Mangalore, which has played a key role in the development activities of the district for over 70 years,   has been directing its efforts to make use of the connectivity advantage enjoyed by Mangalore city,  to provide  fillip to the growth and development of this  city. 

KCCI has always taken up the mantle of giving a spur to the development process in the district since its inception.    “KCCI is a proactive organization where we envision the development of the district.  In this pursuit we are looking  at avenues available for creating infrastructure  so that real development takes place”,  Mohandas Prabhu, President of KCCI points out.

GG Mohandas Prabhu

Continuing in the foot steps of the visionaries  who envisioned an active role for it, KCCI  under the  dynamic leadership of its President  G G Mohandas Prabhu has shouldered the responsibility of setting up an air cargo complex in Mangalore.  While explaining the necessity of an air cargo complex Mohandas seems to be determined to see his dream  project fructifies by the end of March 31, 2011.   He says “the international flights have started operations from Mangalore long back and  we are confident the airport will soon be elevated  to the status of an  international airport.  

As a logical step towards the direction of development of the city, we need to set up an Air Cargo Complex to facilitate  imports and exports  especially through the gulf region “. 

KCCI is now looking forward to feel the pulse of the people  of the costal district who have settled in the gulf region.  Goods like Mangalore jasmine, seasonal fruits like mangoes, jackfruits, fish etc., can be exported to different countries  using Dubai airport.  Similarly, there are many medical and engineering colleges in and around Mangalore who might be interested in importing medical equipments and other machinery and this air cargo complex would be of immense help to import such equipments through Dubai airport.  Mohandas Prabhu adds  “we do not know  who is interested in exporting goods from Mangalore to different countries of the gulf.  It is not practicable for me to go to each country and find out who is interested.  But we want to reach out to the people and make them aware about the availability of such a facility in Mangalore.  I want the response of our people from the gulf region so that we can substantiate whatever study we have undertaken in this direction  and present the hard facts to the government of India saying we have tremendous response from the people . That would make our case  much stronger” .
 
Based on the positive response of the people KCCI wants to pursue the matter with requisite proof which would play an essential role in speeding up the process of setting up air cargo complex. Establishing  an air cargo complex would enable people to send commodities from Mangalore to the gulf region and vice versa.  KCCI has given representation to the authorities and agencies involved,   such as Airport Authority of India,  Customs Department, the Importers and Exporters and other agencies,   to make this dream become a reality.  KCCI has held 3 rounds of discussions with Air India Express Manager,   Mangalore,  regarding this project and the airlines has assured their support and cooperation.   

The air cargo complex would also provide an opportunity to send   unaccompanied baggage for travelers who have extra luggage with   them as this luggage also had to get  clearance from the customs department.  If the project becomes a reality it would further fuel growth and development in this region. 

Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry has always been in the forefront in putting forward programmes  and implementing them for creating better infrastructure   keeping  in mind the growth and development  of the district.  The ideas for setting up New Mangalore Port, the international airport (with good support from people like Rajesh Sequeira from the gulf)  originated in the premises of this organization. 

KCCI has other ambitious plans for  the district including setting up of an international standard cricket stadium with a seating capacity of 50,000 people and  a  liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal which can be converted into clean electricity.   It is also in touch with the Ministry of Agriculture to set up a fishing harbor in Kulai, Hosabettu.  Plans are also on the anvil to develop the tourism sector in the district, considering the potential for developing tourism in the district.    

At present,  the priority is for setting up the Air Cargo Complex and Mohandas Prabhu feels  he will get enough inputs from Mangaloreans in the gulf region.
Those who wish to give feed back  or want to get more information can contact the chamber office on  email or telephone, fax etc,. 

Email : kanarachamber.2008@rediffmail.com  or
             kanarachamber@gmail.com
Tel:    0824 – 2420128, 4260128
           2493859 (after office hours)
Fax:    2420669