Postal service in Shillong has of late deteriorated beyond proportions. Not only missing letters galore, the regularity of the delivery system seems to have been crippled owing to the P&T Department’s failing mail transport system.
During the recent times it has been experienced by the people of Shillong that more frequently than not the routine mail delivery comes to a sudden grinding halt.
When contacted an official of the P&T Department said that the postal delivery system was disrupted following break down of their mail delivery vans. The Department is said to be using the obsolete “Standard 10” which is hardly suited for carrying a big load on the rugged roads of the town.
In this respect the shoddy performance of the Laban Branch Post Office stands out as a poor example for others. Quite apart from the increasing instances of letters not reaching the addresses, it is found that delivery of mail takes unusually long. Irate residents recall that even a few months back the performance of the P&T Department was not all that glaringly bad. Letters used to take their usual four to five day’s time but they were sure of receiving them. But not any more. Letters from Calcutta and elsewhere take not less than a week for delivery. And now on top of that there are cases of missing letters and book post packets. It seems most people who depend on postal services for receiving glossy outstation magazines have the puzzling experience of not receiving their copies.
Meanwhile, there has been a widespread resentment in the Kench’s Trace, Rilbong and Bishnupur areas following the closure of the delivery facility at the Rilbong Sub Post Office. The local people had submitted a representation to the PMG requesting restoration of the delivery facility. It is learnt that the PMG’s Office has turned it down on some unconvincing ground. It is suspected that some vested interests are at work for denying this facility to the people.