Post offices face problems in rental spaces, lack of funds
Posted on: 08/Nov/2015 12:54:39 PM
The Department of Posts is facing difficulty in finding space for its offices. Currently, offices are working out of rented premises. Chennai city region has 600 post offices, out of which only 15% are department owned.
Because of this, offices are forced to shift once in a while, when landlords seek termination of the rental contract. In a few cases, landlords have approached the courts. Many property owners are hesitant to rent out to government offices. As there is less space given to the department, some of the offices contain staff catering to different localities. The Aminjikarai post office works out of Shenoy Nagar, and the Sowcarpet post office works out of Flower Bazaar.
Another reason for lack of separate offices is not enough funds. There are 10 sites in the city that are vacant, but not enough funds to build offices. The department fixed rent based on the guideline value prescribed for the area. We are constructing new buildings at Mandaveli and two more at Sarem and Puducherry Bazaar in Puducherry. Now, residents can access a post office in a radius of every 1.5 km. We are approaching residents welfare associations to help us find better rented spaces. The shifting of Nanganallur post office is a temporary measure, said an official.
