Suggestions for BIAL to get the airport in order
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Devesh - 5 June, 2008
| BIAL
| Bangalore
| BIAL
I created this article of suggestions. I am sure Praja members will be able to add to this list some concrete suggestions.
Suggestions for BIAL to get the airport in order
It is approaching 2 weeks
since the launch of the new Bengaluru International Airport and the
management of BIAL has been making steady progress in solving the
multitude of problems present.
Before I offer some suggestions
for BIAL management for their consideration, I make an open offer to
BIAL management, on behalf of the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and
Commerce. We want BIAL to succeed. We are here to understand and help.
In return we ask for transparency, trust, and sincere engagement from
BIAL.
Now the suggestions :
Most
important : HAL is now closed. Passengers may provide a "honeymoon
period", but industry cannot afford to. Services have to be delivered,
and NOW!!!!!
1. Airport Flow
a.
Add your own security staff to monitor and govern flow of vehicles inside BIAL airport land.
b.
Add
overhead signage indicating the correct lanes for (a) parking (b)
pick-up and drop-off. The over-zealous parking attendants crowd the
entrance lanes trying to divert all vehicles in to the paid parking,
which only adds to the chaos.
c.
Prevent service road
encroachment by parked Lorries and Vans, up to and including the fuel
farm. Once the cargo village gets going it will become a mess of
monster proportions.
d.
Expand the service road to 4 lanes. The
current 2 lanes will not cope with the multitudes of commercial
vehicles already choking the road.
e.
Consider making the service
road "one-way" East to West. The main access road can be used as the
West to East access for all vehicles.
2. Passenger Terminal and Services
a.
While
not expecting BIAL to become a picnic spot, add seating for visitors to
the airport, and add public toilets outside the terminal. Visitors may
not be paying to enter the terminal, but a certain level of Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) is good business.
b.
Add a canopy
from the terminal till the bus stand. It will aid and promote the usage
of the Vayu Vajra services. In these times of high inflation, helping a
passenger save money is good business.
c.
Expand the terminal on a war footing.
The terminal design is modular and can be rapidly expanded. 71,000 sq.
mtrs., is simply unable to cope with the demand. An overflowing
departure lounge only dimishes the goodwill BIAL commands, and will
lessen your "honeymoon period".
d.
Do not add additional retail
space in the expansion. The current over-dedication to retail can be
lowered by re-distributing the shops.
e.
Increase the apron,
parking stands and gates. 42 Code C stands which includes 8 contact
gates for 450+ flights a day is simply not enough. At the peak of 30
flights per hour, it will get overwhelmed if there is the slightest
hiccup.
f.
Increase the number of toilets inside the terminal
g.
Stick to your guns on only 2 ground handling agents only if you can ensure their performance
h.
Provide permanent, good low
priced, facilities for your customers' and partners' employees. i.e.
airline staff, regulatory agencies (Customs, CISF, Immigration), cargo
employees, etc.
i.
Speak to CISF Commandant, make them understand the need to use all the entrances to the terminal, and all the DFMDs/X-Ray scanners.
3. Services and Cargo
Cargo
is the core reason of an airport, as far as industry is concerned. With
the lack of a seaport in Bangalore the criticality only increases
adding to the pressure.
India
ranks a lowly 39th in the World Bank's Logistics Performance Index. In
all crucial benchmarks India was below rank 40, only the competence of
the people in the clearing process (customs excluded) at rank 31,
salvaged the overall ranking. This has to improve, and Bangalore has
always led the way.
Both
the warehouses (Menzies Bobba and AI-SATS) have not taken advantage of
the 2 month delay, and are just not ready. Their services are not up to
international standards. From reports of airlines, air cargo agents,
customs house agents, the situation will stabilise only after 1~1.5
months. This is simply unacceptable. It needs to be set right in 15 days.
BIAL
was brought in to deliver a "world class" airport, and this includes
cargo. If any of the cargo terminal operators cannot deliver results,
they should be suspended from operation till they improve.
India
has established the WRDA, and BIAL management has to realise that it is
ultimately responsible for delivering "Global Service Quality" levels.
It needs to be the big, bad, bar bouncer, and push its people and
partners, in to delivering.
a.
BIAL
management needs to recognise that cargo and logistics operations are a
vital part of an airport and its interaction with a much larger
hinterland, when compared to the passenger catchment area.
b.
BIAL
needs to make a parking for all the commercial vehicles at the airport.
The service road is choked with lorries, LCVs, mini-trucks, goods
autorickshaws, etc.
c.
Need to enforce basic GMP and GS1 standards in warehousing.
d.
Create
a joint Cargo-Terminal, Airline, Cargo-Agent, Customs-Agent and
Industry Chambers task force that will meet and measure, on a monthly
basis the :
- Effectiveness and Efficiency of the clearing process
- Infrastructure
- Ease and affordability
- Competence of the clearance process and people
- Package Traceability
- Reliability and repeatability i.e. confidence level
e.
Bring
in the managements of both Menzies Aviation Bobba and Air
India-Singapore Airport Terminal Services and get categoric commitments
on SLAs for the following :
-
Import Bonding - Target 3 hours
- Import IGM filing - Target 3 hours (if airlines do not comply, ban them)
- Cargo Traceability - No more than 1 hour. GMP or GS1 standards.
- Exports - Target 2 hours
- Goods vehicle parking - No truck should stand on the service road
- Infrastructure
f.
Strongly consider adding a third cargo terminal, but ensure you get a very high quality vendor.
g.
Add
specialist warehousing options, to increase the value proposition. For
example Frozen (below 20 Deg C), Chilled (-4 to +4 Deg C), Cold Room
(+4 to +15 Deg C) abilities.
h.
Provide public facilities and toilets for the employees.
Long term
a.
BIAL needs to engage Bangalore; its industry, its commerce, its residents. Operate in an open and transparent manner.
b.
Show Bangalore its long term plans, especially expansion. Some specific points can include :
- Status of second phase
- Permissions for the second runway
- SLAs 1 year from airport opening date (AOD)
c.
Bring
in the full expertise of Unique Zurich organisation. Marry it to local
competence and understanding. Instead of looking for a Civil Engineer
to head the 2nd phase expansion, try and find competencies in other
fields. The top person
for phase 2, has to focus on efficient process and overall customer
delight, not worry about how to make a building.
I hope BIAL finds these suggestions helpful. I invite readers to please add to the list.
COMMENTS
It seems quite evident that SWR is hesitant to work with any of the cities projects - be in airport or city infrastructure.
They seem to run on a "central government" command often neglecting minor issues like running small distance intra city trains.
In line with your suggestion: While not expecting BIAL to become a picnic spot, add seating for visitors to the airport, and add public toilets outside the terminal. Visitors may not be paying to enter the terminal, but a certain level of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is good business.
If BIAL does not like to put in free investment for visitors, then BIAL can build some large seating area with shade outside the terminal, and collect a small charge for it - like Rs.2 per day. BIAL will not incur expenditure of lakhs of rupees to do this setup. The money collected like this can be the return of its investment. It can also be used for cleaning services. A public toilet built outside the terminal also collect small charge - say Rs.5. Over time, BIAL will get its investment back. Is this sensible?
I am not sure if there are public telephone booths outside and inside the terminal. If not present, they should be installed.
Devesh,
Thanks for putting up the suggestions for BIAL to fixup and improve things. By now it should be known to BIAL, its Indian share holders like L&T, AAI and GOK what works and what not. Your letter has precisely done that. One question to you Devesh, does the posting on such blogs would suffice?
Execuse me for the blunt question. Newspaper complaints and blog postings works upto certain extent, but
our wishlist for BIAL needs serious consideration from BIAL Board of
directors. Since you represent the Bangalore Industry Chambers, you should start submitting this letter/suggestions to GOK and MoCA. Therefore I would like you to consider the following:
- Industry Representation to the new Government in Karnataka.
- Industry Representation to the MoCA (you seems to have good rapport with MoCA and AAI)
- Industry Representation to L&T (I am sure L&T is a member of Industry Chambers somewhere)
- Combined representation to BIAL (Specially Mr. Brunner) from Industry, Industry Captains, Passengers,, Citizens, Public representation etc.
Devesh, let Praja & others know how far the Industry Chambers and Industry captains would like to go on this. I hope Industry Captains, City Connect would show the same zeal like pro-HAL campaign. Otherwise, as Madam Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw had mentioned, it is just a "ARMCHAIR" critricism/suggestion.
Again sorry for my blunt rants.
Syed
Providing basic facilities for visitors or meeters and greetors is mandatory when it comes to building infrastructure. And this charging of entry fee to enter the terminal building is something that I have seen only in India. No where else do they charge entry fee to enter the terminal building. Yes visitors are not allowed beyond certain areas for securty reasons.
BIAL can atleast like Mithun suggests build a common waiting/greetors/meeters area with some restroom facilities. I certainly think they should have some local flavours with southern food stalls and beverage stalls for visitors convenience.
Correct me if I am wrong I have never seen a fee to enter the terminal in the US - or Europe where I have travelled. If they do elsewhere please fellow travellers - share your experiences. How much more money does BIA rake in as ROI? UDF itself is a lot of money. Another question.. Does HIA charge entry fee??
My point here is if we had to pay fees to enter any public accessible buildings then people would stop going to the malls or bus stations or railway stations... To call our airport worldclass it should meet all the standards which means even visitors are part of the standards.
I support what santsub says. I have been to few airports in USA. They dont charge any fee to enter the terminal building.
IDS, I had highlighted the cargo issues with photographs in my May 28th visit report. http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com/2008/05/bial-visit-28-may-2008-service.html. Things were in bad shape, and have still not improved.
I have put some more suggestions for BIAL to take immediate action on. http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com/2008/06/bial-plagued-by-cargo-inefficiencies.html
-----------------------
Regards
Devesh R. Agarwal
Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com
..."One company has been given an undue advantage which is an unfair business trade practice, this was not transparent and nobody was told how this happened."...
The Air Cargo Club in Bangalore plans to meet with officials at (BIAL)
to put forward their requests. They say if their demands are not met they will consider taking legal action against BIAL for unfair trade practices.
We have made some rough working. Costs will go up by 30-40% because it is a direct cost.
Dear Syed
We are making combined efforts. Getting BIAL on its feet quickly, and at the same time trying to keep HAL open. Even Centre for Public Policy of IIMB is getting involved.
Posting on blogs and boards, helps raise grassroots awareness. I have learnt a lot from Praja, and I hope I have been able to reciprocate some.
I have put some more suggestions on the cargo front, and a delegation from the Chambers is visiting the Cargo complex this Friday. Hopefully we can highlight to the cargo operators the importance of them coming up to speed immediately.
-----------------------
Regards
Devesh R. Agarwal
Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com
Very sensible suggestion Mithun. Nothing free is appreciated or properly used. As long as BIAL looks to the public in a more humane way, and not some discarded waste, just becuase they do not pay an entrance fee or UDF, it is good business.
-----------------------
Regards
Devesh R. Agarwal
Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com
In fact, in the US, prior to 9/11, visitors could go right till the boarding gate. Entry fee even today is not levied. After all the airports are built with public money, and therefore are public property.
-----------------------
Regards
Devesh R. Agarwal
Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com
If Bial cannot allow people with out a fee into the terminal then I hope they can come upwith an open green house like garden in front of the U Shaped terminal, cover it on top with some cool elements and all meeters and greeters can wait there. Of course Designing this on the lines of a worldclass airport is very necessary not to make it a factory garden.
That way nobody has to go inside the terminal they can wait in this area - since the terminal is all glass they can see anyone walk from inside which will make it a transparent security wall. The visitors area can also have some local cuisines or fast food joints with water features and local art can be promoted.
I am not definitely suggesting a picnic spot but it will go a long way in making it a more unique airport experience not only to the locals but also to any visitor to the city or state. Please do not forget restrooms/Toilets :)
Born Bangalorean - love Bangalore and I want to see what I can do for the city in particular and our state to make it a better place.
Devesh,
There is any plan/efforts from Industry Chmabers to take up the issues at BIAL directly with MOCA on cards?
Unless you wake them (MoCA)up, you are at the mecry of Mr. Brunner & Co. Unless MoCA gets its act right in BIAL, public should forget about its 'P'participation. Their participation doesn't end with just land and loans. For BIAL to succeed, MoCA should play its duty bound responisbilities. I hope Industry chambers's efforts doesn't stop at Mr. Brunner desk.
I am sure at Praja, you can drum up the support for Central Governments help for B'lore. I will open up a seperate thread for listing all that is needed for Bangalore and take up those issues with GOI, Political parties and Planning commission. Basically sending a plotical message to all that elections are not too far and they can not take people of Bangalore for granted. Let me know your thoughts.
Pls keep Praja posted on chamber's findings in upcoming visit.
Syed
That cargo handling facilities at BIAL are inconvenient for fteight forwarders & importers is quite clear. Additional costs for truck transportation over the long distance adds to their woes. Besides, truck movements to /from BIAL to city cause pollution & adds to the traffic on Bellary road.
I think there are some airports in USA (& elsewhere in the world) where there are remote facilities for customs & packaging, where all formalities are completed off-site & the packages are delivered to the airlines directly.
If the ICD (Inland Container depot) at Whitefield, which already has the necessary infrastructure, with customs, etc, can be utilised for air services as well, it can be used to bolster capacities & avoid the long chain of activities on-site at BIAL.
There are existing railway lines that connect Whitefield with Devanahalli, via KR Puram. With a small track extension of about 5km from Doddjala to BIAL, all these goods can be transported by rail as bonded goods, after all formalities at Whitefield instead of using row upon row of trucks to transport them & then carrying out all these activities at BIAL.
Road connectivity to the ICD at Whitefirld is good & the planned PRR will also pass through Whitefield. So, it should improve things if cargo is handled in this manner.
Security will be an issue, but I think it can be managed with scanners at the airport just before loading packages onto airplanes, similar to passenger baggage.
Multiple agencies would be involved - SWR, BIAL, Customs, BMRDA, etc. Financial arrangements & other issues will need to be worked out with BIAL & other agencies. If they all put their heads together, this might be a better way to handle freight instead of building huge warehouses & other infrastructure at BIAL, forcing cargo handling agencies to arrange transportation all the way & back, with perhaps a lot of waiting at BIAL to check-in or clear their wares.
The ICD at Whitefield has a large area & can possibly take this in easily.Bangalore's air-cargo processing may become simpler, faster & may meet demands more easily & might attract even more cargo.
The railways have a regular "Container Special" that runs from ICD to Chennai port. I am not sure if one runs to Kochi also.
Unfortunately, the ICD is only for FCL (Full Container Load) cargo. LCL cargo has to be trucked to the port of loading, and then stuffed.
Some companies are trucking cargo to Chennai Airport and loading there.
I am leading a delegation of 8 members to BIAL for a interaction with AI-SATS and Menzies Bobba. I will report to you the developments.
-----------------------
Regards
Devesh R. Agarwal
Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com
Thanks, Devesh.
Containers will not be needed to move freight from ICD to BIAL. Freight wagons would suffice, which can be locked /sealed after stuffing at ICD by customs after all formalities, & in presence of an airline rep. Upon arrival at BIAL, the seals can be broken, locks opened by the airline concerned under supervision by customs, for directly loading onto the aircraft. This will do away with the entire gamut of freight /cargo infrastructure at BIAL & make it very convenient for cargo shippers & receivers as most of the activities related to air cargo will be over at the ICD at whitefield itself.
Customs will need to maintain only a small staff at BIAL for cargo processing, whilst the airlines will only need a small force at ICD. The other advantage is desongestion on bellary rd as truck traffic for BIAL can be removed.
Devesh -
10 June, 2008 - 04:34
Naveen, a proposal similar to this was mooted by MSIL and JWG about setting up cargo collection centres in HAL airport warehouses, doing all the processing and then moving them in-bond to BIAL.
The problem is that warehouses in BIAL are not ready. Menzies warehouse is ready, processes are getting put in place. AI-SATS was forced to commence operations with an incomplete warehouse. It is impossible to get processes in place when the building is not ready.
Who did the forcing is to be found out. From sources, I was told, there was unnatural pressure from Delhi on Bangalore Customs to approve the warehouse. Who put pressure on Delhi ?
-----------------------
Regards
Devesh R. Agarwal
Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com
Apart from and amidst all the infrastructural woes that people are being made to face at BIA, here comes an important angle from which BIA needs to be seen, especially given the fact that it stands amidst us in Bengaluru -
http://thatskannada.oneindia.in/literature/articles/2008/0610-bengaluru-BIA-local-culture.html
Go through this page and you'll see what all our "international airport" is indeed missing.. and then lets also see this li'l comparison of airports across the world to get a reality check:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/3223439/Bengaluru-Airport-Vs-Other-airports
-Nijavaada
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