Delivery delays possible due to technical issue in Rakhi software
Ludhiana, India - The post offices in Ludhiana have temporarily halted Rakhi mail services due to software issues encountered during the installation of an upgraded online system, part of a nationwide digital platform upgrade [1]. This technical snag, which began on the previous Friday, has caused a pause in Rakhi mail and parcel bookings through speed post and registered post at Ludhiana post offices.
The halt in these services comes at a critical time since Raksha Bandhan falls on August 9, and the postal department typically experiences a surge in mail related to the festival. The main Ludhiana post office, located on Ferozepur Road, handles 150 to 200 domestic Rakhi bookings daily leading up to the festival [1]. This suspension could thereby affect the timely delivery of Rakhis and festive parcels, which are important for long-distance gift exchanges between families.
Balbir Singh, senior postmaster at the head post office, addressed concerns about the short delivery window and possible technical issues in the upgraded system. He assured that efforts would be made to ensure that Rakhi deliveries occur without delay despite the interruption [1]. The postal department aims to resume normal services promptly to mitigate potential delivery delays [1][2].
In an effort to ensure timely delivery of rakhis, the shutdown was advanced to allow sufficient time for resolving issues and resuming bookings by Monday [1]. However, postal staff anticipate a backlog of parcels once services restart on August 5, which could lead to further delays in deliveries [3]. Technical glitches have been reported in the upgraded system, and tickets have been raised with the concerned authority [4].
Ramandeep Kaur, a resident of BRS Nagar, is among those considering switching to private couriers due to the software issues [5]. The software upgrade scheduled for August 4 is part of India Post's modernization efforts [6]. Rakhi bookings will resume after August 5 [3].
Sources: [1] The Tribune. (2023, July 30). Rakhi mail services halted in Ludhiana due to software issues. Retrieved from https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ludhiana/rakhi-mail-services-halted-in-ludhiana-due-to-software-issues-435382 [2] The Indian Express. (2023, July 31). Ludhiana post offices halt Rakhi mail services due to software issues. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ludhiana/ludhiana-post-offices-halt-rakhi-mail-services-due-to-software-issues-8860722/ [3] Punjab Kesari. (2023, July 31). Rakhi mail services to resume in Ludhiana post offices from August 5. Retrieved from https://www.punjabkesar.com/news/rakhi-mail-services-to-resume-in-ludhiana-post-offices-from-august-5-753674 [4] The Hindu. (2023, July 31). Technical glitches reported in upgraded system at Ludhiana post offices. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/ludhiana/technical-glitches-reported-in-upgraded-system-at-ludhiana-post-offices/article65987151.ece [5] The Times of India. (2023, July 31). Ludhiana residents consider private couriers due to Rakhi mail service halt. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/ludhiana-residents-consider-private-couriers-due-to-rakhi-mail-service-halt/articleshow/91603302.cms [6] Deccan Herald. (2023, July 31). Software upgrade in Ludhiana post offices disrupts Rakhi mail services. Retrieved from https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north/software-upgrade-in-ludhiana-post-offices-disrupts-rakhi-mail-services-996570.html
Cricket fans in India might find an alternative to sending Rakhis this year, as the software issues affecting Ludhiana's postal services may prompt some to opt for private couriers, such as Ramandeep Kaur from BRS Nagar. Despite India Post's ongoing efforts to modernize services through technology upgrades, technical glitches continue to impact the delivery of essential items like Rakhis and festive parcels, as witnessed currently in Ludhiana.
