Exporters have urged authorities to expand and modernise the cargo handling infrastructure at Trichy International Airport as cargo volumes continue to rise.
The Export Import Federation Trichy (EIFT), at its annual general body meeting on Saturday, called for the redevelopment of the existing cargo handling area into a modern export cargo terminal. The proposed facility should include an air-conditioned handling floor and cold storage infrastructure to support the movement of temperature-sensitive and perishable commodities.
Trichy airport handled 721 metric tonnes (MT) of cargo in August, its highest monthly cargo volume in seven years. Domestic air cargo operations from the airport’s new integrated passenger terminal also commenced last month, with around 2.4 tonnes of freight handled on the first day.
With cargo activity increasing, EIFT members said the airport needs corresponding improvements in its handling and storage facilities.
“Temperature-controlled facility is needed to benefit exporters in maintaining the quality of perishable items such as fruits and vegetables. A district-level export promotion committee is a long-pending demand,” said N Kanagasabapathy, founder-president, EIFT.
The exporters’ body also welcomed the in-principle approval for setting up a dry port in Trichy and passed a resolution seeking faster implementation of a multi-modal logistics hub incorporating the dry port.
EIFT also sought an update on a food quality testing laboratory proposed by the Tamil Nadu Food Processing and Agri Export Corporation in Trichy at an estimated cost of ₹7.6 crore.
The proposed cargo infrastructure upgrades, along with the planned dry port and logistics hub, are expected to strengthen Trichy’s connectivity and support exporters handling agricultural and other time-sensitive commodities.
