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Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Trichy exporters to study other airports to raise agro shipment
Trichy: Export Import Federation Trichy (EIFT) jointly with Airports Authority of India (AAI) conducted a stakeholders meeting at Trichy international airport for the first time to improve the volume of exports, mostly agriculture products, and make export operations hassle-free. Exporters said they will study major airports in south India to increase the volume of exports through Trichy from 20 tonne to 35 tonne a day and demand dedicated cargo flights. Presently, vegetables, fruits and flowers are exported from Trichy to Gulf and southeast Asian countries using the leftover space in passenger aircraft. Operators prioritise international passengers and their luggage. Based on the occupancy rate of international flights, a limited quantity of exports is allowed. Hence, exporters are forced to use Chennai and Kochi airports to send their consignments. "International air connectivity is improving in Trichy airport, but we need a dedicated cargo flight, even a narrow-body aircraft is adequate. Our study finds that around 35 tonne of products can be exported from Trichy, but we are exporting only 50-60% of our potential," N Kanagasabapathy, coordinator, EIFT, said. Customs and Plant quarantine department officials who attended the meeting have assured support to the exporters' plans to increase export volume via Trichy airport. At the meeting, exporters also raised a demand to reduce export charges collected at the airport. They claimed that around Rs70-90 per kg is collected in Trichy whereas in Kochi, it was around Rs 55 to Rs80 per kg. "We will visit and explore the best practices followed in Hyderabad and Kochi airports to improve exports of agricultural products from Trichy airport. Need for cold storage facilities will be assessed too," G Sathish Kumar, secretary, EIFT said. Presently, around 270 active exporters with EIFT are exporting products from Trichy airport to Malaysia, Singapore, and United Arab Emirates (UAE). "We will provide required support for exporters to use the airport's infrastructure to scale up their volume. As far as operating dedicated cargo flights from Trichy are concerned, the decision rests with airline operators," S Gnaneswara Rao, director of Trichy airport, told TOI.
New Indian Express
04-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Energy drinks sold as ORS substitutes in Tiruchy pharmacies
TIRUCHY: Pharmacies across Tiruchy are misleading customers by handing out energy and electrolyte drinks when asked for Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), a recent TNIE inspection has found. Health officials and doctors warn this is dangerous, as these drinks don't meet World Health Organization (WHO) standards and can worsen dehydration during diarrhoea due to the presence of high sugar content. WHO-approved ORS packets are available free at government health centres and hospitals. "They are sold in pharmacies only in powder form never in bottles as prepared ORS must be consumed within 24 hours," a DPH statement said. Yet, when TNIE visited multiple medical stores in Tiruchy, several pharmacies handed over branded electrolyte tetra packs instead of ORS sachets. Though these tetra packs carry disclaimers like "not for medical use" or "not ORS," many mistake them for ORS. "People ask for particular brands, thinking they are right for dehydration and pick some fruit-flavoured packs. Selling these packs are profitable too, as its prices are nearly ten times the price of ORS powders," a pharmacist said. "Correct ORS has precise amounts of sodium, potassium, chloride, and glucose. These energy drinks lack that balance, and high sugar can worsen dehydration," warned Dr G Sathish Kumar, Professor of General Medicine at KAPV Government Medical College and MGMGH. Dr Sivaprasath P, Professor of Paediatrics, said, "No energy drink can replace WHO-approved ORS. Only standard ORS protects against severe dehydration. Commercial energy drinks are risky, especially for children."
