Chennai: Handling of international cargo at the Chennai air cargo terminal could be shut down for three days following an embargo proposed by the Airports Authority of India, Chennai, to its headquarters. This is to clear the huge backlog of imported cargo lying uncleared on the tarmac due to a go-slow by workers of Bhadra International Ltd, the ground handling agency.
If the embargo is implemented, it will be the first time in the country. “It will be a big shame on the Chennai airport,” said Bharat Thakkar, President, Air Cargo Agents Association of India.
Nearly 50 flights have offloaded cargo in the last four days. However, only 25 per cent of cargo has been cleared as Bhadra’s workers are demanding a wage increase and better working conditions, according to agents. An embargo could affect the entire supply chain for companies. They work on a tight just-in-time inventory system and any disruption in the supply chain will affect their production, Thakkar said.
B. K. Mehrotra, General Manager, (Cargo), AAI, Chennai Airport, in a circular said that following a consensus arrived at a meeting held on April 30 with various stakeholders, and as suggested by the airlines / trade community, AAI has proposed an embargo on the movement of international cargo for three days.
01/05/13 Business Line
