In a major breakthrough for postal logistics, the Maharashtra Postal Circle successfully transported a 9.35 kg postal bag via drone from Karjat to Matheran, demonstrating the potential of unmanned aerial systems to revolutionize mail delivery in remote regions.
The drone-based conveyance trial, conducted on May 16, covered the 23-kilometre route between Karjat and Matheran — a hilly and rain-prone area known for its difficult terrain and steep elevation of up to 800 meters. "What normally takes 1.5 hours by traditional road transport was completed by the drone in just 20 minutes, marking a significant improvement in delivery efficiency," said an officer.
On its return journey from Matheran to Karjat, the drone carried another postal bag weighing 9.168 kg and completed the trip in only 16 minutes, despite flying through dense cloud cover and rainfall. "The successful round-trip test underscores the drone's capability to handle substantial payloads in challenging weather conditions and difficult terrain," informed the officer.
This initiative aligns with the broader vision of Hon’ble Minister of Communications Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, who has emphasized in the 2025 Union Budget the need for India Post to play a transformative role in the rural economy and emerge as a major public logistics provider.
Officials highlighted that this demonstration not only showcases technological advancement but also opens up new possibilities for last-mile postal delivery in regions where conventional transport is unreliable or slow. The successful transportation of a 9.3 kg postal bag by drone could pave the way for regular drone-based operations across similar terrains in the near future.
