Water seepage in the basement of the terminal building at Rajkot International Airport has triggered fresh concerns over air cargo handling, with freight operators alleging recurring disruptions and airport authorities maintaining that operations remain unaffected.
A video purportedly showing severe water leakage inside the basement has fuelled the controversy. However, airport director Dhananjay Kumar Singh dismissed the footage as outdated, saying it was recorded three months ago and that cargo movement was proceeding normally.
“The video of the water leakage is three months old, and cargo movement at the airport is normal,” Singh said.
Cargo handlers, however, disputed the administration’s position, claiming that water accumulation, inadequate equipment and operational constraints continue to hamper freight movement at the airport.
Ashutosh Pande, an air cargo operator at the terminal, said basement leakage was a recurring problem and that the elevator could not be used to transport heavy cargo. He also flagged difficulties in weighing consignments, a shortage of cargo trolleys and concerns over the training of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel deployed at the cargo terminal.
The operational challenges are compounded by the airport’s shared terminal infrastructure, which serves both passenger and cargo traffic. Cargo clearance and handling are restricted to a narrow window between midnight and 3 am, requiring shipments to be weighed, cleared and loaded ahead of early-morning departures.
Operators said the limited time window, coupled with elevator-related difficulties and inadequate handling facilities, places additional pressure on ground operations, particularly when dealing with high-value consignments.
The greenfield airport at Hirasar commenced operations in September 2023, raising expectations of modern infrastructure for both passenger services and air freight. However, cargo operators say persistent facility-related problems continue to constrain operations.
The concerns are significant given Rajkot’s position as a major manufacturing hub for silver jewellery. The airport handles an average of around 10 tonnes of air cargo daily, including approximately six tonnes of high-value silver and gold ornaments and four tonnes of automotive and engineering components.
Handlers warned that disruptions in moving and processing freight could carry substantial financial and logistical risks, particularly for precious-metal consignments that require timely and secure handling.
While airport management has maintained that cargo operations are normal, the conflicting accounts have renewed questions about the adequacy of the terminal’s infrastructure and its ability to support the region’s air freight requirements.