‘Unorganised domestic carriage, security concerns, high air costs hamper efficiency’

Arun Kumar, President, Association of Multimodal Trasport Operators of India (AMTOI) says, “While I agree that road transport is the preferred mode for certain types of cargo, such as retail, FMCG, pharma, perishables, etc., I believe this is largely due to the remarkable development of road infrastructure in the country. This has significantly reduced transit times and minimized multiple handling, enhancing economic viability. It is a common perception that the lack of storage facilities and capacity at air cargo terminals is the reason for this type of cargo moving by road. However, in my view, this belief is somewhat misplaced. The challenges are more likely due to security concerns and the fact that domestic air carriage remains largely unorganized, which hampers its efficiency. Additionally, the relatively higher cost of air transport compared to other modes contributes to this shift