‘Further improvements can be done in reducing transit time’

Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers said, “Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman has announced that the government has implemented various measures to streamline international trade processes. Consequently, the time required for the release of import cargo has witnessed significant reductions. Specifically, there has been a 47% decrease to 71 hours at Inland Container Depots (ICDs), a 28% reduction to 44 hours at Air Cargo Terminals, and a 27% decline to 85 hours at seaports over the past four years, starting from 2019 when the National Time Release Studies were initially conducted. In light of these achievements, the Continental Carriers Pvt Ltd (CCPL) expresses the view that further improvements can be made in reducing release times. CCPL suggests that encouraging the establishment and utilization of off-airport bonded warehouses, particularly in the form of Air Freight Stations, would alleviate congestion at Air Cargo Terminals. Furthermore, CCPL emphasizes the potential benefits of rationalizing Cargo Handling tariffs by Cargo Terminal Operators. This, in turn, is expected to contribute to an overall reduction in logistics costs. Additionally, CCPL recommends the simplification of regulatory norms and the adoption of a ‘single window’ procedure for obtaining approvals. These measures are believed to enhance the development of world-class infrastructure for handling international cargo at Inland Container Depots, Air Cargo Terminals, and other relevant facilities.”