member countries. The purpose of the APPU is to extend, facilitate and improve closer postal
relations among member countries and to promote cooperation in the field of postal services
within the Asia-Pacific region.
Mail Network Optimization Project
Mail Network Optimization Project (MNOP) was undertaken by the Department with the
objective of consolidation and optimization of its Mail Network with a view to improve quality
of mail operations by streamlining core mail operations. The project covers Speed Post,
International Mail, First class mail and second class mail.
MNOP project has been implemented in the entire country comprising 23 postal circles. The
benefits to citizen are—improved delivery performance of Speed Post, increased number of
Speed Post articles having end-to-end (both booking and delivery) information on Department of
Posts website (tracking system).
Dedicated Road Transport Network
Based on the need for providing safe, secure and faster transmission of parcels particularly
e-commerce consignments, the Department has set up a dedicated road transport network for
transmission of parcels. Under the initiative so far, a total of 42 routes in 17 circles have been
made functional connecting 67 cities across the country. Besides, 2 long haul routes have been
identified under the plan scheme.
Postman Mobile App
An android based Mobile Application named Postman Mobile App (PMA) designed and
developed in-house by the Department at the Centre for Excellence in Postal Technology,
(CEPT) Mysuru, has been launched across the country deploying more than 15000 smart phones.
The mobile app is being used by the delivery staff for delivering various accountable articles
such as Speed Post, Express Parcel, Business Parcel and Regd. Post, including CoD parcels and
capturing real time delivery information. The app has the provision of taking the signature of the
same prior to the introduction of the application and hence improves overall customer experience
and delivery performance. The Department is now in the process of procuring 38000 more smart
phones for its delivery staff.
Philately
Philately is the hobby of collecting stamps as well as the study of postal history and other
related items. It is a mode of commemorating, celebrating and promoting national heritage,
culture, events and personalities. Postage Stamps are pictorial ambassadors. They are a statement
of sovereignty of a nation.
After independence, the medium of postage stamps was initially used to highlight the
country’s achievements in science and technology as well as its socio economic development by
depicting themes like Five Year Plans, steel plants, dams, etc. Subsequently, the country’s rich
cultural and natural heritage came to be showcased and many beautiful stamps were issued in
thematic sets on art, architecture, crafts maritime heritage, science, technology, defence, and
cinema. Great leaders of national and international standing have also been honoured with
commemorative stamps, the most important being Mahatma Gandhi. The Father of the Nation
has been honoured with commemorative as well as definitive stamps. Personalities of repute in