Archive · 5 Jun 2025
Cargo Flights Lacking: Rajkot Jewellery Business Faces Hurdles
Imagine a town famous for making beautiful silver and fake jewelry.
Normally, they would send their goods by plane to other places.
But, their airport doesn't have special cargo flights, so they have to use trucks.
This is causing big problems.
First, it's more expensive because they need to pay for guards and insurance in case the trucks get robbed.
Second, some trucks are getting robbed on the road.
It's like they are driving the jewelry through a dangerous neighborhood.
Businesses are losing money, and they are asking the airport to let them use a special gate for their goods, but the airport says it's too busy.
Rajkot's silver and imitation jewelry businesses face challenges due to the lack of cargo flights and highway robberies.
The Rajkot International Airport currently lacks cargo operations, forcing businesses to transport goods by road.
Jewelry traders are incurring higher costs for theft insurance, security, and longer delivery times.
A 2023 incident involved the theft of 1,700 kg of jewelry near Sayla by a gang posing as cops.
Logistics firms and jewelry makers have requested temporary cargo operations via the passenger gate.
- Who
- Jewelry businesses, logistics companies, airport authorities, and highway robbers are involved.
- What
- Businesses face challenges due to the absence of cargo flights, including highway robberies and increased logistics costs.
- When
- Since the old airport shut down and the new airport lacks cargo services, and highway robberies have occurred since February 2023.
- Where
- Rajkot, India and surrounding highways
- Why
- The Rajkot International Airport lacks cargo operations, leading to increased risk and costs for transporting goods.
- Location
- Rajkot, India
- Goods
- Silver and imitation jewelry
- Export Volume
- 10-12 tonnes daily
- Road Distance to Ahmedabad Airport
- 220 km
- Jewelry Looted (Feb 2023)
- 1,700 kg
- Theft Insurance/Security Cost (per van)
- Rs 15,000 per trip
- Extra cost per trip for logistics firms
- Rs 20,000 extra per trip