Postmen can update delivery on-the-go

PILOT PROJECT BY POSTAL DEPARTMENT ENABLES IMMEDIATE UPDATION OF INFORMATION USING MOBILE APP

Until a few days ago, K. Kangeyan, a postman in Anna Road head post office, used to carry a sheaf of papers along with the mails and articles when he steps out for delivery. Now, he just carries a smart phone to get digital signatures as acknowledgement from postal customers.

The postal department recently introduced postman mobile application, which is a pilot project to enable postmen immediately upload delivery.

The real-time delivery update through mobile application will help customer keep a tab on the mail delivery to the destination.

As of now, postmen in the Anna Road HPO are part of the pilot project to cover delivery of registered posts, speed posts, electronic money orders and parcels. On an average, a postman delivers a minimum of 60-70 such mails and articles daily and updates the delivery data only in the evening.

Officials of the postal department said this move will help the postmen update information about the delivery instantly and enable customers to track the movement and know the status of delivery faster. The application was developed by Centre for Excellence in Postal Technology, Mysuru.

Postmaster General (Mails and Business Development) J.T. Venkateswarulu said: “Once the customer digitally signs on the mobile phone, the delivery details will be immediately uploaded to the central server and update all records. We will extend the system to other post offices depending on the results of the project. The department also plans to provide handsets to postmen during expansion of the service.” Meanwhile, residents of Pattabiram complained that the acknowledgement receipt provided in some of the post office for booking speed posts and parcels was not legible as the computer peripherals were poorly maintained.

T. Sadagopan, president of Progressive Consumer Centre, said the acknowledgment receipt is often used as evidence for RTI applications and also help track speed posts and parcels. “In Pattabiram main post office, the printed receipt is unclear because of badly maintained printers. Bill receipts for electricity charges are also issued in the same way for the past one month,” he said.

Officials of the postal department said the issue will be sorted soon.