The Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has asked the Union Government to expedite the process of implementation of air cargo complex in Mangalore.
Addressing presspersons here on Tuesday, Ms Lata Kini, President of KCCI, said that the aspirations of the exporters and people of Mangalore to have a full fledged air cargo complex at Mangalore airport is pending for the past quite some time.
Though the authority concerned is making efforts to implement it in Mangalore, it should be expedited, she said.
Mr Mohammed Ameen, Vice-President of KCCI, said that there is a good potential for exporting perishable goods such as vegetables and flowers to Gulf region. This potential should be explored, he said.
Stressing the need for declaring Mangalore as an international airport, Ms Kini said despite Air India Express operating between Mangalore and the Gulf countries, Mangalore has not been declared as an international airport. It should be done at the earliest, she said.
The length of the present runway should be increased by another 1,000 ft by acquiring the land required for this purpose, and by filling the valley. The cost of this should be shared between State and Central Governments, she added.