KARAN SEHGAL
PANAJI
At a time when the State government and even the central government is trying to make Goa an export hub, the fruits and vegetable exporters are not able to directly export to Europe from Dabolim Airport.
This is mainly because Dabolim Airport does not have RA3 certification, which is mandatory for perishable items to be exported. RA3 certification pertains to safety and security aspects of a certain airport.
Sources further revealed that authorities have even invested in installing an X-Ray machine at the Dabolim Airport for the purpose of RA3 certification, but so far the certification has eluded the airport.
Kaushal Khakhar, Chief Executive Officer, Kay Bee Exports, said, “We are one of the potential users of facilities to export fruits and vegetables from Dabolim Airport to Europe. Since the airport does not have RA3 certification, we are unable to do so.”
Stakeholders have been trying for a number of years to ensure that Dabolim Airport gets RA3 certification, but so far, their efforts have gone in vain.
A source, who didn’t wish to be named, said, “Last year, Dabolim Airport lost 500 tonnes of fruit and vegetable cargo because it did not have RA3 certification. The cargo was eventually exported through Mumbai Airport.”
What is really surprising is the fact that a number of airports in India have RA3 certification, but, Dabolim Airport doesn’t have it.
Another exporter, who preferred remaining anonymous, said, “Because Dabolim Airport doesn’t have RA3 certification, we have to send fruit and vegetable cargo from here to Doha first. This is because Doha Airport has RA3 certification. However, it takes time for cargo to be screened at Doha and often its quality gets badly affected because precious time is wasted in waiting.”
Most companies source fruits and vegetables from outside Goa to export it from Dabolim. The reason they choose Goa to do so is because Goa has an airport with international connectivity. The stakeholders have now demanded that Dabolim should get RA3 certification as soon as possible.
