India Post launches drone mail service in Himachal

The Department of Posts has launched a drone-based mail and parcel delivery service between Mandi Head Post Office and Rehardhar Branch Post Office in Himachal Pradesh, marking a significant step towards improving postal connectivity in remote and mountainous regions.

The service, which became operational on June 12, 2026, has been introduced under the leadership of Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia. The initiative follows feedback gathered during the minister's interactions with Gramin Dak Sevaks and Postal Assistants, who highlighted the need for faster and more efficient mail transportation in difficult terrains.

The Mandi–Rehardhar route is the first to be operationalised under a broader plan to deploy drone-based mail services across nearly 150 identified routes in Himachal Pradesh and Assam over the next two to three months.

According to the Department of Posts, the initiative is part of a wider effort to leverage technology to strengthen postal services, reduce delivery times, and enhance connectivity for communities in hard-to-reach areas.

Rehardhar Branch Post Office, situated around 12 kilometres from Mandi Head Post Office, currently requires more than two hours to transport mail through conventional means. The newly introduced drone-based service has reduced the transit time to approximately seven minutes.

By overcoming the challenges posed by difficult terrain, the service is expected to improve the speed and reliability of mail delivery while offering real-time tracking capabilities and a more environmentally sustainable mode of transport.

The Department of Posts said the initiative will strengthen connectivity in remote and mountainous regions, enhance access to essential postal services for local communities, and contribute to greater social and economic inclusion.