IDC - Meeting with Service Unions dated 07.02.2025

Current Delivery System (As-Is)

• Delivery staff use bicycles or foot for mail delivery.
• Low efficiency: 25-30% of time spent traveling (50-60% for Branch Offices).
• Physically exhausting for staff.
• Other couriers use 2-wheelers for parcels/documents.

Mechanized Delivery Policy

• Scope: Parcel delivery only.

Benefits:

• Fuel mileage reimbursement for staff using personal 2-wheelers.
• 4-wheelers hired by Department of Posts (DOP) for heavy parcels.
• 20-30% efficiency improvement.

Guidelines:

Covers all mail types (Parcels, Documents, Ordinary Mail, Money Orders).

Applies to Departmental Post Offices (POs) and Independent Delivery Centres (IDCs).

Status of Mechanization (Circle-wise Data)

• Total Delivery Beats: 64,295 (59.40% mechanized).
• Top Performers: Punjab (98.79%), Jharkhand (89.37%), Karnataka (91.19%).
• Low Performers: Rajasthan (0.05%), Kerala (20.43%), Telangana (10.35%).

Reasons for Non-Mechanization

• Staff lack 2-wheelers (37.99%), driving licenses (12.79%), or interest (16.68%).
• Congested/hilly areas (8.48% and 4.01%, respectively).

Productivity Comparison

• Mechanization reduces travel time (e.g., 6-10 mins/km to 3-5 mins/km).
• Total duty timings remain similar (~450 mins), but more articles delivered (85-90 vs. 60-65).

Network Productivity Issues

Low-Volume Offices:

• 48,861 BOs delivered no Speed Post documents; 80,367 delivered no Business Parcels.
• High-Volume Offices: HOs and SOs handle bulk deliveries.

Single/Double-Handed POs

• 68% of POs are understaffed (single/double-handed), impacting focus on delivery.

Proposed IDC Model

Key Features:

• Separate backend/frontend functions.
• Mechanized beats (2/4-wheelers).
• Staff engaged in sorting/invoicing.
• Niche services (2nd delivery, Sunday/Holiday delivery).

Goals:

• Reduce delivery centres from 19,500 to 12,000.
• 25-30% productivity increase.

Union Concerns

• Opposition to Mandatory 2-Wheelers:
• Financial burden on staff (purchase/maintenance).
• Safety risks (accidents, poor roads).
• Urban impracticality (parking, high-rise access).

Other Issues:

• Staff lack licenses/vehicles (especially in rural/hilly areas).
• Current system is cost-effective and eco-friendly.

Demands:

• Department-provided vehicles (not personal use).
• Retain foot/cycle beats for personalized services.

Future Mail Volume Projections

• Documents: 94 Cr → 164 Cr (2028-29).
• Parcels: 6.7 Cr → 46 Cr (2028-29).

Download IDC Meeting with Service Union