SJDA TO HAND OVER FACILITY AT BAGDOGRA TO AAI Move to transfer cargo depot

TT, 14 Nov 2018, Siliguri: The Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority said on Tuesday that the Airports Authority of India had agreed to revive and expand the perishable cargo depot at Bagdogra airport and use it for general cargo.

The depot was built by the SJDA in 2010 and but didn't operate for a single day as it failed to obtain permissions and licenses from statutory authorities.

Sourav Chakraborty, the SJDA chairman, said here on Tuesday that the AAI had agreed to run the depot built during the Left Front regime. The AAI has also asked for additional three acres to expand the area of the depot.

The terminal of Bagdogra airport Sources said during the recent visit of chief minister Mamata Banerjee to north Bengal, Chakraborty had met officials of the AAI and the chief secretary. At the meeting, it was also agreed the SJDA would sign a lease agreement with the AAI for a period of 30 years and the SJDA would annually get 10 per cent of the profit. Once the depot turns operational, it would be the first of its kind facility in the Northeast, said a source.

"I will meet urban development minister Firhad Hakim in Calcutta soon to apprise him of the development so that the deal can be finalised with AAI," said Chakraborty. The SJDA functions under the department.

The SJDA had acquired 3.91 acres for Rs 75 lakh and spent another Rs 6.68 crore to build the depot.

The SJDA has also decided to allow a private company to open a fruit processing unit at the Pineapple Development Centre at Bidhannagar (around 40 km from Siliguri) on experimental basis from November 23.