Lost mails? SMS to the post office!

The department of post launched a new service on Wednesday that would enable customers to trace their mails through short messaging service.

"This new service will enable public to locate their mails, especially speed post, by sending an SMS and they will receive the location of their mail," T Murthy, post master general, Tamil Nadu circle, business development and marketing, told reporters in Chennai.

One has to type the 13 digit number, printed in the receipt that was given during booking, and sms it to 55352, he said.

This service would be availed in all mobile service providers, Murthy said.

There was a substantial drop in receiving first class mails because of technology revolution, he said.

"Five years ago, city post offices handled 13 to 14 lakh (1.3 to 1.4 million) first class mails per day. Currently, we handle only about 900,000 mails a day".

About 81 kg of gold worth roughly Rs 5.5 crore (Rs 55 million) was sold through post offices in Tamil Nadu, Murthy said.

"We have sold 28 kg of gold between September 24 and October 12", he added.