Prayagraj: Entrepreneurs including guava and vegetable growers in the Prayagraj region, or for that matter businessmen producing various goods can look forward to exporting their products to different parts of the country and even abroad now.
The Airport Authority of India (Prayagraj region) has been permitted by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to start the cargo flights from the Civil Enclave of Prayagraj located at Bamrauli.
A proposal for starting cargo flight connectivity between Prayagraj and other cities in the country was sent to BCAS in November, last year.
After getting the green signal from the security bureau, the freight air service could now start following which entrepreneurs and traders will be able to order or ship goods from different parts of the country.
Active involvement of UP minister for civil aviation, Nand Gopal Gupta ‘Nandi’ is worth mentioning in terms of Prayagraj’s Civil Enclave to be able to start cargo services.
“Now that we can start cargo flights from Sangam city, the facility would be of immense benefit for providing new markets, both nationally and internationally, to the products of the region very much on the lines of Varanasi, wherein veggies and fruits of Kashi have found new markets in the western countries as well,” says the minister.
Regional director of AAI (Prayagraj) Anchal Prakash said, “After the approval from the security bureau, the cargo flights would now be introduced from Prayagraj too.
However, the timing of these cargo flights, from arrival-departure and loading-unloading, would be kept separated from the passenger aircraft”.
Recently, the Prayagraj civil enclave was surveyed by the station manager (terminal) of Varanasi airport so that a cargo aircraft facility can be introduced here too.
The station manager was satisfied with the amenities following which the letter has been sent to BCAS for their approval.
The airport authority also plans to build a separate terminal at Prayagraj’s civil enclave to start a regular cargo carrier.
The terminal would have all the facilities needed for handling cargo facility including a warehouse, entry-exit, parking etc.
to keep and handle goods coming and going from the city.
The entrepreneurs of Prayagraj have been demanding to start cargo carriers for years.
Vinay Aggarwal, president of Eastern UP Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said that they have been demanding for starting cargo facility from Prayagraj which would help in the overall economic growth of the city and its traders, be it in the business of various goods or the guava farmers.