Bhubaneswar: In a bid to boost the state’s economical growth and to cater to the increasing air cargo traffic, the city airport here is all set to receive Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) facility by next week.
Set to provide speedy Customs clearance and documentation the EDI facility at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) will aim to eliminate manual operations. The facility would immensely benefit stakeholders shipping freight to various destinations from the BPIA.
“There has been a steady growth in the freight movement at the BPIA. Thus we set up a committee in December which was headed by Additional Chief Secretary of the MSME. The chairman of the Airport Authoritiy of India (AAI) had proposed the EDI facility at the airport. With the coordination of the Customs Department, this facility will be available within a week’s time,” said BPIA Director, Suresh Chandra Hota.
According to sources the BPIA has recorded an overall growth of 71% in cargo movement past five years. With 5700 Metric Tonnes (MT) of cargo received in 2014-15 the figures rose to 8809 MT in 2017-18. With projected growth of 11.75% the city airport has already registered 9785 MT of load and is expected to gain more by end of this financial year.
Reportedly, the state’s export has also shown an upward trend during the same period. From Rs.19,082 crore in 2015-16 to Rs 40,872 crore in 2016-17, Odisha recorded substantial increase in exports with merchandise trade registering the highest growth rate of 114 per cent among all the states.
Recognised as a champion state for the highest growth in exports and with the Odisha government planning to touch a turnover by Rs. 1 trillion before 2025 the EDI at BPIA is expected to massively assist in reaching the target.
“Jewellery, mineral, pharmaceuticals and agricultural products are the major exports for the state. Due to its location Odisha is a median between important trade cities like Vizag and Kolkata. Improvement in its infrastructure to cater to aviation trade can significantly add to state economical growth.” said trade analyst Pradipta Malik.
Adding to this, BPIA director mentioned that with the inception of the EDI, experts working with the BPIA expect a double increase in the freight movement by next year. “The facility will motivate investors and stakeholder to setup ventures in Bhubaneswar or in the state,” adds Hota.
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