Indiapost hiring aircraft to service metros, North-East

http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=364617&sid=NAT
New Delhi, April 08: Taking on the challenge posed by private courier companies in offering quality and quicker services, Indiapost has decided to hire aircraft from national carrier Indian to service North-Eastern states and metros. Aircraft will be taken on lease basis from Indian Airlines, which will serve during the day in the North-Eastern states and in the night time will cater to the needs of metro cities like Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai to begin with both for speed and ordinary post, a senior official of the DoP (Department of Post) told. North East not being as conveniently connected to other parts of the country, the postal delivery service is usually delayed and difficult. DoP plans to address this problem by hiring the aircraft. The initiative to check the falling market share does not stop at that with the department planning to establish call centres with national toll-free number initially in the metros. Later on, the service will be expanded to all cities. India Post call centers will act as nodal points for getting information and delivery status and also offer collection of parcels from customers' residence or place of work, the official said. Speed post, the premium mail service from DoP is also bracing up for competition. Bureau Report