The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) gave the approval to InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) for the self-handling of outbound cargo, thus setting the ground for Visakhapatnam International Airport (Vizag) to resume operations last week. With this development, Vizag becomes the first airport in the country to allow self-handling of cargo security clearance to an airline.
The Director General of BCAS sent the letter of approval to the management of IndiGo after recommendations from the inspection committee. The Andhra Pradesh Air Travelers Association expressed gratitude to the BCAS and Parliamentary members for their support.
On the other hand, a top-level committee looking into the Vizag steel plant is focusing on credential verification of the companies showing interest in the steel plant. The scrutiny will be conducted by the department heads, including marketing, finance, works, and material management, led by the CSM in charge. The Expression of Interest (EOI) seeking raw material supply and funding was closed last Thursday. The tender proceedings will begin in the first week of May and will be finalised by June, and work will begin in July end. The tender will be a year long.
The steel plant issued an EOI a few years ago, and four companies expressed interest. However, the management withdrew the proposal with the global steel market gaining momentum. According to the recognised union JSM Secretary Varasala Srinivasa Rao, the steel plant pays off ₹160 crores as an interest to banks every month and ₹350 crores as GST to the government. He requested the government to bail out the plant.
