• In a bid to make postal services more accessible,
• Department of Posts extends working hours of iconic Nehru Park
Srinagar|Nov 06: As Srinagar’s Dal Lake continues to draw tourists and visitors through the day, India’s only floating post office is adjusting to the city’s changing public service needs, extending its working hours till 9 pm to allow residents and tourists greater access to postal facilities.
Located at Nehru Park on Dal Lake, the iconic post office will now remain operational from 9 am to 9 pm, marking an expansion of its daily service window in response to growing footfall and demand for postal services beyond conventional office hours.
The move also reflects the Department of Posts’ efforts to make traditional public institutions more accessible and customer-oriented, particularly at locations that attract considerable tourist activity.
Officials said the decision followed encouraging public response to the extension of working hours at the Lal Chowk Head Post Office, which is also functioning from 9 am to 9 pm.
Chief Postmaster General, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, Col Sagar Hanuman Singh, visited the floating facility along with Director Postal Services Prateek and Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Srinagar Postal Division, Adam Mohi U Din.
During the visit, the officers reviewed the available facilities and interacted with tourists, customers and members of the public to assess their requirements.
The decision to extend the timings was taken after considering the considerable footfall at Nehru Park and the need to provide postal services during hours convenient to visitors and the local population.
Col Sagar Hanuman Singh said the initiative was aimed at providing greater convenience to customers, tourists and residents, reiterating the department’s commitment to making postal services more accessible, responsive and customer-friendly.
Director Postal Services Prateek said the initiative was part of the department’s efforts to improve service delivery and provide greater flexibility in accessing postal facilities.
He observed that the floating post office was not merely a postal establishment but also a distinctive attraction for tourists visiting Kashmir. The extended timings would benefit local residents, tourists, houseboat operators and other visitors who may find it difficult to access postal services during conventional working hours.
Adam Mohi U Din said the response to the extended timings at Lal Chowk had encouraged the department to explore similar initiatives elsewhere.
He said the department was also examining the possibility of extending working hours at more post offices across the region.
The latest initiative adds another dimension to the floating post office, which has emerged as one of Srinagar’s distinctive landmarks, combining an everyday public utility with the city’s tourism identity.
With the new schedule, visitors to Dal Lake will have a longer window to access postal services, while residents and businesses operating around the lake will have greater flexibility in attending to their postal requirements.
