Rajkot: After a long wait, cargo operations at Rajkot International Airport in Hirasar are expected to commence in the first week of August, providing a significant boost to the city’s silver and imitation jewellery sector.

This update came during the Airport Advisory Committee meeting held on Tuesday. Diganta Borah, director of Rajkot International Airport, informed the committee that the regional director of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) from Ahmedabad is scheduled to visit the airport on July 18 to carry out security checks for cargo handling through the passenger terminal. Final clearance is anticipated by the end of July.

“We are hopeful that cargo services will start in early August,” Borah noted. In addition, the airport is also set to roll out a Wi-Fi facility starting July 31.

The move is expected to bring considerable relief to local exporters, especially those dealing in silver and imitation jewellery — an industry that currently ships around 10 to 12 tonnes of goods daily. Until now, exporters have relied on Ahmedabad Airport, leading to higher transportation costs and logistical challenges. DeshGujarat