Lok Sabha Question No. 4472 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-27
Subject: Upgradation of Warehousing Facility for Air Cargo
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Dr. Kalanidhi Veeraswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## Lok Sabha

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 4472

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  27th March 2025 )

## UPGRADATION OF WAREHOUSING FACILITY FOR AIR

## CARGO

4472.    DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  upgrade  infrastructure  and warehousing facilities  for  air  cargo,  particularly  for  handling  of  highvalue perishable horticulture produce;
2. (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise including Tamil Nadu:
3. (c) the specific measures being taken by the Government to ensure the creation  of  specialized,  temperature-controlled  storage  spaces  for perishable goods along with the manner in which these improvements would impact the efficiency of air cargo transportation;
4. (d) the manner in which the Government would support the integration of  modern  technology  and  infrastructure  at  air  cargo  terminals  to improve  storage,  handling  and  distribution  of  perishable  horticulture products;
5. (e)  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government to facilitate timely and cost-effective  transportation  of  perishable  goods  ensuring  that  these products  reach  international  and  domestic  markets  with  minimal spoilage; and
6. (f)  the  details  of  the  financial  support  or  incentives  that  would  be available for businesses,  especially  MSMEs  to  invest  in  modern warehousing and cold storage facilities for air cargo?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION      (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a)  and  (b)    Airports  Authority  of  India  has  established  dedicated  air cargo  facilities  at  major  airports  including  Chennai,  Coimbatore, Madurai and Trichy Airport in the State of Tamil Nadu and movement of domestic air cargo is facilitated through passenger terminal at Tuticorin airport. Additionally, horticulture produces are also being handled from these  airports.The  total  Installed  Air  Cargo  Capacity  in  the  State  of Tamil Nadu is 1.96 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA).  The total Annual Tonnage Handled in FY 2023-24 in State of Tamil Nadu is 0.36 MMTPA. The  State-wise  list  of  Cold  Storage  Facilities  at  airports  in  India including Tamil Nadu is at Annexure. (c)  To  maintain  integrity,  temperature-sensitive  goods  are  typically packed in specialized containers, insulated packaging, or with cooling agents  like  dry  ice  and  gel  packs.  Consistent  temperature  control throughout  the  supply  chain  is  essential  for  preserving  quality  and extending  shelf-life.  The  air  cargo  facilities  are  equipped  to  handle various  temperature  ranges  and  cold  storage  facilities  are  made available on need basis. (d)  to  (f)  Cold  storage  facilities  have  been  established  at  airport  for handling  of  temperature  sensitive  commodities  and  cool-dollies  are being utilized by the airlines for transportation of temperature sensitive cargo from cargo terminal to aircrafts. Specific packagings are being used which are capable of handling temperature sensitive commodities throughout the supply-chain in the container/package. These gel-based containers are provided to keep the desired temperature throughout the journey i.e. from origin to destination. These packages can maintain the required temperature upto 72 hours. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been implementing a Central Sector Scheme- "Operation Greens" (OG) under Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan  SAMPADA  Yojana  since  2018-19,  with  the objective of enhancing the value realisation of farmers and minimizing post-harvest  losses.The  scheme  is  demand  driven  in  nature.  The financial assistance is provided at the rate of 35% of the eligible project cost  for  projects  in  General  Areas,  and  50%  for  projects  in  Difficult Areas as well as for projects involving SC/ST, FPOS (Farmer Producer Organizations) and SHGs (Self-Help Groups).
- ******

## State Wise List of Cold Storage Facility at Airport in India

| S. No.   | State            | Airport          | Cold Storage (Domestic/International)   |
|----------|------------------|------------------|-----------------------------------------|
| 1        | Andaman &Nicobar | Port Blair       | Domestic                                |
| 2        | Andhra Pradesh   | Hyderabad        | Domestic                                |
| 3        | Andhra Pradesh   | Hyderabad        | International                           |
| 4        | Andhra Pradesh   | Visakhapatnam    | International                           |
| 5        | Assam            | Guwahati         | Domestic                                |
| 6        | Assam            | Guwahati         | International                           |
| 7        | Delhi            | Delhi            | International                           |
| 8        | Goa              | Goa              | International                           |
| 9        | Goa              | Goa Mopa         | Domestic                                |
| 10       | Goa              | Goa Mopa         | International                           |
| 11       | Gujarat          | Ahmedabad        | Domestic                                |
| 12       | Gujarat          | Ahmedabad        | International                           |
| 13       | Gujarat          | Surat            | Domestic                                |
| 14       | Jammu &Kashmir   | Srinagar         | Domestic                                |
| 15       | Jharkhand        | Ranchi           | Domestic                                |
| 16       | Karnataka        | Bengaluru        | International                           |
| 17       |                  | Hubballi         | Domestic                                |
| 18       |                  | Kannur           | Domestic                                |
| 19       |                  | Kannur           | International                           |
| 20       | Kerala           | Kochi            | International                           |
| 21       |                  | Kozhikode        | International                           |
| 22       |                  | Trivandram       | International                           |
| 23       |                  | Bhopal           | Domestic                                |
| 24       | Madhya Pradesh   | Indore           | Domestic                                |
| 25       |                  | Indore           | International                           |
| 26       |                  | Mumbai           | International                           |
| 27       | Maharashra       | Nagpur           | International                           |
| 28       |                  | Nashik           | International                           |
| 29       | Odisha           | Bhubaneswar      | Domestic                                |
| 30       | Punjab           | Amritsar         | International                           |
| 31       | Rajasthan        | Jaipur           | Domestic                                |
| 32       |                  | Jaipur           | International                           |
| 33       |                  | Chennai          | International                           |
| 34       |                  | Coimbatore       | International                           |
| 35       | Tamil Nadu       | Madurai          | International                           |
| 36       |                  | Tiruchirappalli  | International                           |
| 37       | Tripura          | Agartala         | Domestic                                |
| 38       | Uttar Pradesh    | Lucknow          | International                           |
| 39       |                  | Varanasi         | International                           |
| 40 41    | West Bengal      | Bagdogra Kolkata | Domestic International                  |