Hyderabad airport to get a centre for perishable cargo

GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL) has decided to set up a world-class centre for perishable cargo (CPC) at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) here.

The CPC will be designed to handle 13,000 tonnes per annum of perishable cargo in the first phase of development (up to 2011). The capacity will be raised to 25,000 tonnes per annum in the second phase (2013-14).

“It will boost the movement of perishables and help the horticulture sector in the state become more competitive”, said GHIAL Chief Commercial Officer Viswanath Attaluri.

The projected investment in phase-I is Rs 40 crore with a subsidy of Rs 20 crore from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). The rest will be invested by GHIAL to cover for the land cost and infrastructure like roads and freighter bay. GHIAL will invest Rs 10 crore more in phase-II.

GHIAL has assessed the export potential to be 5,000 tonnes in the near future as Andhra Pradesh produces about 10.5 million tonnes fruit and vegetables per annum.

The CPC will also help the pharmaceutical and biological sectors import and export about 3,000 tonne per annum.

The air cargo complex at RGIA can handle 1,00,000 tonne per annum.