09 June,2011 07:16 AM IST | | Bipin Kumar Singh
Teething problems with the newly-installed operating system at Mumbai's international airport causes a backlog of goods being processed, resulting in traders raising a big hue and cry
Mumbai International airport's plan to deploy new technology such as a new electronic system to clear cargo has run into some teething problems resulting in traders raising a big hue and cry against the airport operator.
The cargo space at Sahar airport, which is clogged up due to the delay in processing of the goods caused by the new operating system
Traders claim that the new operating system EDI 1.5 version is incompetent to tackle the requirements to ship goods fast, which causes delays in handling of goods.
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EDI 1.5 is the new operating system installed at the Air Cargo complex at Sahar Airport and was installed by the Finance Ministry in 2010.
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The new technology is an upgraded computerised version of its electronic data system to clear export and import of goods.
"The problems of delays and being charged for detention of goods started the very first day that the 1.5 version was installed. Even though, several initiatives were taken to improve the functioning of the system, the problems still exist and will take time to clear it of all its technical snags.
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The most glaring problem of the system is that it hangs frequently and it being a centralised version it makes matters even worse," said a Customs official on the condition of anonymity.
The Customs official added that the 1.5 version installed at Jawahar Lal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) has run into problems.
Mark S Fernandes, chairman, Shipping and Aviation Committee, Indian Merchant Chambers said, "The new system does not incorporate the facilities that were provided by the old version that causes the processing of goods to be done at a slower rate causing a drastic backlog."
On January 4, the air cargo complex was down to clearing only 52 per cent of its import capacity and around 60 per cent of its total exports capacity. Fernandes added, "One of the main reasons for the delay at the air cargo complex is the fault of the airport operator GVK.
They are unable to locate cargo for four to five days. However, they charge demurrage for the same. We pay a demurrage of Rs 50-60 lakh every day for mistakes made by GVK and they should be held responsible."
Echoing the same comments was Nailesh Gandhi, president of Mumbai Customs House Agent's Association. He said, "I solely hold the Mumbai airport operator GVk responsible for all the delays.
Version 1.5
Even though the 1.5 version has the ability to upgrade to newer features, the biggest drawback of the system is that once it hangs, it takes several hours to reboot the system.
Cargo numbers
Air cargo approximately handles about five to six thousand export and import files every day and also generates the maximum revenue for the operators. However, the trade has increased at the airport by 400 times in the last 20 years.
The Other Side
Govind Rajan, vice-president of GVK air cargo however, refuted the comments. "There is nothing of the sort and the system is working fine. In fact, Mumbai is the one airport where it is installed well." He did not comment on the allegations made by traders about the delays.
