Tons of materials stocked in Chennai and Bangalore airports.
Coimbatore: Export of valves, machineries and castings manufactured in Coimbatore and Kongu region industries has been delayed through air causing a major setback to industries.
The products are majorly exported to European countries. However, these goods are stacked in tons at Chennai and Bangalore airports, and the delay is causing much financial trouble for export industries.
The Institute of Indian Foundrymen, Coimbatore Chairman, S. Balraj stated, 'Valves, machinery and castings manufactured from the industries of Kongu regions are exported to the European countries through Gateway airports like Chennai, Bangalore and Kochi. The materials are shipped through bonded trucks through roads to these gateways. These products are stacked up and have not been exported within the set period which has caused trouble for export industries. Hence, a direct aviation service should be facilitated by the Government that will hugely help exports from Tirupur and Coimbatore and other Kongu regions, and that will prevent delays through the gateway airports. The shipment through the sea is already a question of debate since the pandemic,' he added.
Dilip Abraham, Principal Processing Officer (International Logistics Solutions), Coimbatore, Inter Global Logistics Solutions stated, 'The pandemic has greatly affected the exports of goods from India by sea and air to various countries. The underlying reason is that the number of goods produced in industries and transport facilities do not match the ratio increased by sea and air for export. A variety of products manufactured on behalf of industries operating in Coimbatore and the neighboring districts are exported to various countries through gateway airports. Due to the large number of bookings of goods exported from the districts of the above airports, export cargo transported from Coimbatore and surrounding districts cannot be processed immediately.
This has caused the shelving of various types of industrial products weighing tons, in turn delaying the export of such products on time. Coimbatore and the related regions have been majorly affected. There is no possibility of a solution to this problem at present. Even if the Centre permits the commencement of international aviation in the coming days, not all flights would come forward to start services like before, since the Covid-19 pandemic has caused an increase in ticket fares as well. This issue might continue till January 2022, after which export is expected to be done on time,' he added.
Export Committee members opine that the major setback was mainly due to shipment through sea being affected.