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Postal dept plans a host of initiatives to draw customers

India Post is all set to roll out a host of new initiatives for its customers, including same day delivery for Speed Post in the City, beginning Wednesday.

If a person mails it before noon, the post will be delivered the same day within the city. This will soon be replicated in other cities across the country.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Tuesday, Postal Services Board Member John Samuel said, “For instance, if someone wants to send wedding cards within the city, it would reach people the same day. This service is already available in many countries. We have planned to take this up in a big way now.”

In another new customer-friendly move, India Post is introducing a parcel collection system at the GPO for those who missed the delivery at home. Customer can collect the parcel at the GPO till 8 pm on all working days by producing an ID card for authentication. This is a huge step forward from the earlier system, where the parcel would be returned to the sender if undelivered. However, as on date, this does not include Passport services, as it would entail a different code of regulations, said Samuel.

Automatic mail processing centres at Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai, with a capacity to sort 45,000 letters daily, are also on the anvil. The department is investing Rs 250 crore on this project. This set-up currently exists in Delhi and Kolkata.

Error margin
“When you are sorting manually, there is an error margin for 5-7 per cent. Bengaluru deals with 8-9 lakh mails per day. When the  sorting electronic, there will be no margin for error,” said the official.

The postal department is also strengthening the parcel packaging and booking centres, along with the post Shops. Last year, 21 booking centres were established in Bengaluru, and more will be set up across the state.

Also, post shops will be extended to include all standard stationery items, greeting cards, packaging materials and souvenirs. Handicraft and handloom products will be available here to boost the local economy.