The national capital’s IGI Airport complex aims to become a global hub for logistics and trade with the establishment of a ‘Cargo City and Special Economic Zone’ (SEZ).
Speaking to the media, Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) official said the vision of creating the ‘Cargo City and Special Economic Zone’ emanates from a larger vision of making IGIA a global airport hub, with the “passenger and cargo segments complementing each other.”
DIAL operates and maintains the IGI Airport complex in New Delhi.
“We have been focused on developing the cargo infrastructure for the last several years to become a global standard cargo and logistics hub, and the development of ‘Cargo City’ is also a step in that direction,” said Videh kumar Jaipuriar, CEO-DIAL.
According to the official, the ‘Cargo City’ is planned to be a 50-acre integrated development , comprising general warehouses, express warehouses, ‘Cargo Special Economic Zones’, and supporting office and amenities blocks.
The project will be rolled out in stages, with the initial phase slated for completion by the first quarter of FY2028.
The ‘Cargo City’ project aims to provide several benefits, including reduced logistics costs, enhanced competitiveness, and increased efficiency, the official said.
National Logistics Policy
“The ‘Cargo City’ project will help bring cargo activities right to the airport, thereby reducing logistics costs. This is in line with the National Logistics Policy launched by the Honourable Prime Minister,” said CEO-DIAL.
“The project (Cargo City) will enhance the competitiveness of Indian products in the global market, giving a boost to Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ endeavour.”
Besides, the project will include infrastructure such as cold chains, bonded warehousing, and e-commerce zones.
The SEZ will be developed under the aegis of the SEZ Act, 2005, and will provide benefits such as duty-free imports and other incentives to unit holders.
In addition, the official said that the establishment of Delhi Airport’s Cargo City is expected to make IGI a leading cargo and logistics hub in Asia.
“Delhi Airport has already taken steps to build Tier 1 capacity of 1.8 million tonne per annum and Tier 2 capacity of 0.5 million sft, and now we are working towards bringing the concept of a Cargo SEZ, which will be a first in the country.”
