Trivandrum: Daily Parcel Special Service Trains are being run between Thiruvananthapuram Central – Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram Central – Chennai Egmore. These parcel trains are very helpful to customers as is evident from the good patronage for these trains. The number of customers utilising these services is constantly growing.
To mitigate the difficulties faced by customers in sending and receiving parcels through railway network during the lockdown period, the Thiruvananthapuram Division of Southern Railway has taken the initiative to start a tie-up with the Department of Posts, Kerala Circle, the first of its kind being implemented in the country. Through this, door delivery & pick up of parcels will be facilitated.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Dr Rajesh Chandran, IRTS, Sr. Divisional Commercial Manager, Thiruvananthapuram Division and Sayeed Rasheed, Director of Postal Services, Kerala Circle in the presence of Shirish Kumar Sinha, Divisional Railway Manager, Thiruvananthapuram Division.
By this arrangement, postal personnel will collect the parcel from the consigner’s premises and will get them booked. The transhipment will be through Railways from the nearest railway station to the destination railway station. From there, the parcel will again be collected and delivered to the consignee at his doorstep by the Department of Posts. This will take effect from 12th May, 2020. A minimum charge will be collected from the consigner under Logistics Post levied by Postal Department in addition to the charges levied by Indian Railways. This service will be initially available at Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam Town, Aluva and Thrisur.
Consigner may call to the Rail~Post dedicated phone numbers – Landline – 0471 2464425, Mobile – 94479 57388; 96339 73640 – in advance to book the parcel or call 24/7 Railway Parcel Helpline Number – +91 95678 69381 for assistance. This door to door transhipment facility is available till the lockdown is over or for the next one month, whichever is later. Customers may avail of the facility to transport their items up to 3.5 tonnes as a single shipment.