The postal department has set a target to more than double its market share in parcel business in next two years, Communications Minister Manoj Sinha said on Tuesday.

“Approximately, we have 3-4 per cent share in parcel business. Private players offer effective service instantly while in government system people at small places are required to wait for decision of headquarter. Therefore, to take instant decision and to offer competitive service, we have created a separate parcel directorate and set target of achieving 10 per cent of this parcel business in coming 2 years,” Sinha said.

He was sharing status of works being done at the department on the eve of World Post Day.

In 2017-18, India Post handled 618 crore mail articles, 18 crore, registered articles and 46 crore speed post articles.

According to a KPMG report,  the e-commerce retail logistics market alone is valued at $1.35 billion in 2018, and is projected to witness a growth of around 36 per cent in the coming five years.

“Around 94-96 per cent people get articles delivered to them in time,” Sinha said.

He said that the department has set-up call centre in Varanasi to handle customer grievances and resolve complaints.

The minister also said that the postal department is a commercial department of government and steps are being taken to ensure that the department become self sustainable.

He said that the department is on track to set-up a separate insurance company under the DoP and request for proposal have been invited from consultants.