Guwahati, Oct 23: For people living in places like Wakro in Arunachal Pradesh, where access to even basic services can be a challenge, a new experiment has opened a gateway to a future where connectivity wasn’t hindered by nature.
Local residents who once waited days for important documents, letters from loved ones now saw the potential of their remote location becoming part of the fast-moving modern world through a drone.
Traditionally, mail between Wakro and Chowkham takes 2 to 2.5-hour travel time and is transported via Arunachal Pradesh State Transport buses, which traverses through challenging roads, extending delivery times.
In a significant leap for India’s postal services, the Department of Posts, in collaboration with SKYE AIR Mobility Private Limited, successfully conducted its first drone-based mail delivery on October 21. The proof of concept (POC) saw a drone carry mail between the Chowkham Post Office in Namsai district and Wakro Branch Post Office in Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh.
The drone departed from Chowkham at 10:40 AM and arrived at Wakro, 45 kilometers away, at 11:02 AM—completing the journey in just 22 minutes. On the return trip, it left Wakro at 11:44 AM and reached Chowkham at 12:08 PM, drastically reducing the usual. This marks the first successful trial of drone-based mail transport in the region.
This initiative aims to improve postal services in regions like Wakro, where geographical barriers often hinder timely delivery. The Department of Posts plans to expand drone-based delivery systems across other mountainous areas, subject to the success of this trial.
Jyotiraditya M. Scindia Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region said the initiative along with a reduction in transmission time, will also foster reliability through real-time tracking and increased efficiency of mail deliverance systems.
“A big step towards faster, reliable, and eco-friendly mail delivery in India’s remote areas” he said.
The POC reflects a broader strategy to modernize India’s postal system and enhance connectivity in hard-to-reach areas, with potential future applications across the Himalayan region.
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