In August 2007, Department of Posts introduced its first dedicated freighter aircraft for exclusive carriage of mail, parcel and logistics in the North East. Lack of a reliable mode of mail transmission in the difficult terrain of this region had always remained a major handicap for India Post in fulfilling its universal social obligations with respect to  mail transmission  and delivery.  This  path­ breaking effort has not only resolved the chronic problem of transmission of mail, to and from the North East, but has also provided a robust cargo link to the region with rest  of  the  country. The  North  East freighter,  which operates   on   the   Kolkata-Guwahati-lmphai-Agartala­ Kolkata  route on a  regular  basis,  has in many ways become a lifeline for the entire region. It has given a major fillip to the economic and commercial activities in the region by providing a fast and reliable channel of transmission.

India Post has now put in place a nationwide hub and spoke system of air transmission of mail, parcel and logistics through induction of two or more dedicated freighter aircraft on the metro routes. The North-East freighter has been  integrated  into  this  national network, wherein three freighter aircraft operate overnight, converge at Nagpur for exchange of mail, and return to their respective base cities. Cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bangalore in the metro sector, and Guwahati, lmphal and Agartala in the North East, are directly connected by this freighter network. This network is further complimented by a second tier air transmission as well as a road-cum-rail based transport system for inter-city carriage of mail across the vast expanse of the country. The three Boeing737-200 freighters operate on the following routes:

• Mumbai-Nagpur-Mumbai

• Kolkata-Delhi-Nagpur-Delhi-Kolkata (The same aircraft operates on Kolkata-Guwahati-lmphai­ Agartala-Kolkata route during the day time.)

• Bangalore- Chennai-Nagpur-Chennai-Bangalore

In order to reduce dependence on external agencies for carriage of  mail, parcel and logistics and improve quality of mail transmission and delivery services,  use of dedicated freighter aircraft has become a preferred option for many postal administrations/operators across the world.

Through extension of the freighter network on a nationwide scale, India Post strives to eliminate uncertainties in transmission of mail and put in place a faster and reliable mode of carriage for consignments - ranging from ordinary letters to time-sensitive and perishable cargo. The increased consistency in transmission will also go a long way in improving our mail processing, transmission and delivery standards. This initiative is also an attempt by the Department to reach out to its corporate customers and small businesses in terms of their need for an assured and guaranteed mail transmission and delivery service.

India Post has chartered these aircraft from Air India. Each aircraft carries eight pallets (seven pallets of 125 inches x 88 inches and one pallet of 108 inches x 88 inches) and a payload of approximately 13 to 14 tonnes. Thus, approximately 40 tonnes of mail, parcel and logistics can be carried on the three aircraft at a time.

On 13th September 2009 the Hon'ble Minister for Communication & IT, Thiru A. Raja, formally launched the freighter aircraft at Chennai, after the trial run which began on 27th July 2009 was found successful.

The Department is proud to celebrate the India Post freighter through the issue of this postage stamp.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India