Targeting reduced dwell time
Despite a downturn in the European market, the Indian air cargo market is looking up. While talking about the plans and projections for the sector, Dr. Renu Singh Parmar, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt of India, says it is expected to su
What is the government doing to reduce dwell time?
The ministry is doing a detailed study on reduction of dwell time. We must reduce the overall dwell time on the imports side at our major airports as this is not in line with the international benchmarks; where it is 24 to 36 hours or even less. Government is consulting stakeholders and associations for the same. In fact, various stakeholders have given recommendations as well. To become global, we need to follow best practices and the ministry is doing its best to help reduce dwell time and cutting on free period at the cargo terminals. What kind of investments or initiatives are needed from the government and air cargo industry to boost numbers?
It is time to simplify the process with Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Customs is also improving upon their EDI system. All stakeholders should be brought to this platform and nobody should resist that. Going forward, the overall outcome of exchange of electronic messaging will be improved transparency and accountability thus cutting down on dwell time.
Although volume wise air cargo hardly carries anything, but value wise we carry one third of the total international trade. We need to set a lot of procedures right at our airports. There are issues with security clearances which we are tackling with our own Bureau of Civil Aviation Security of India (BCAS) and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on transhipment modules so that we can make transhipment hubs for, say, Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai but everything takes a bit of time. We need to consult the concerned departments. The Air Cargo Logistics Promotion Board (ACLPB) plays a very important role in making the business easier. We try to resolve many issues through inter-ministerial meetings. Where do you see the role of multi-modal connectivity to boost air cargo volumes?
Multimodal is important because we can’t set up airports everywhere. So, when one needs to transport freight quickly, one can do through road or rail. We can develop multimodal hubs with the DMIC (Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor) projects or a logistics park. The transport minister has also said that we will develop a logistics park around Delhi region; such initiatives will kick start the growth of air cargo.
It is time to simplify the process with Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Customs is also improving upon their EDI system