India Post Launches Drone-Based Mail Delivery In Himachal Pradesh

The Department of Posts has launched drone-based delivery of mail and parcels on the Mandi-Rehardhar route in Himachal Pradesh, marking the start of a broader initiative to deploy the technology across remote and difficult terrains, according to an official statement issued on Saturday.

The Ministry of Communications launched the project under the leadership of Union Minister of Communications and DoNER Jyotiraditya M Scindia. The initiative will strengthen last-mile connectivity in hilly regions and improve the speed and efficiency of postal services.

Announcing the development on the social media platform X, Scindia highlighted the role of technology in transforming postal operations.

“An absolute pleasure to announce the launch of drone-based mail and parcel delivery by @IndiaPostOffice on the Mandi-Rehardhar route in Himachal Pradesh,” he posted.

Scindia said the initiative emerged from feedback that postal workers shared from the ground.

“A journey that earlier took hours through difficult terrain will now be completed in just 7 minutes with real-time tracking. What makes this environmentally sustainable initiative particularly meaningful is that it emerged directly from feedback shared by our Gramin Dak Sevaks and Postal Assistants during the course of several interactions,” Scindia added.

Jyotiraditya M Scindia asserted that the programme supports the government’s broader push for technology-enabled governance.

“Guided by the vision of PM @narendramodi Ji, we are harnessing technology to strengthen our postal services, ensuring that the remotest corners of Bharat are connected to the opportunities and services of a rapidly transforming nation,” the post read.

Drone से डाक, अब गाँव तक ✉️📦🇮🇳

An absolute pleasure to announce the launch of drone-based mail and parcel delivery by @IndiaPostOffice on the Mandi-Rehardhar route in Himachal Pradesh.

A journey that earlier took hours through difficult terrain will now be completed in just… pic.twitter.com/905sUVILXL

— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) June 13, 2026

Expansion Plans

The first operational corridor links Mandi Head Post Office and Rehardhar Branch Post Office, covering approximately 12 km. The same journey currently takes more than two hours through conventional transport.

The Ministry plans to roll out around 150 drone delivery routes across Himachal Pradesh and Assam over the next two to three months. The Mandi-Rehardhar route will serve as the pilot project.

According to the Ministry, the drone system will enable real-time tracking and reduce delays caused by challenging terrain. It will also offer a more sustainable logistics solution.

The initiative will likely strengthen postal service delivery in remote and mountainous regions. It will also likely improve access to essential services and support greater social and economic inclusion.

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