SRINAGAR- Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Thursday afternoon inaugurated post office fest here besides dedicating modernized Lal Chowk Post Office to people. He also inaugurated philately exhibition on the occasion. Union Minister for Communication and IT, Dr. Kruparani Killi was present on the occasion.
The festival was organized by Indian Postal Department in collaboration with Srinagar Municipal Corporation. The aim of the festival was to associate postal service with the efforts of SMC to make Srinagar city hygienic and clean.
The theme of festival was Green and Clean Srinagar. The students from various educational institutions in their cultural events highlighted the need for keeping Srinagar clean and hygienic.
Among others, Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University, Prof. Talat Ahmad, Director General Prisons, K. Rajindra, Commissioner, SMC, Dr. G. N. Qasba, Postmaster General, J&K Circle, John Simuel and various senior officers were present on the occasion.
Page from History
Organized Postal Services in Jammu & Kashmir State started in the early half of nineteenth century under the aegis of the Maharjas Government notwithstanding existence of despatch riders to carry official mail from times immemorial.
After annexation of Kashmir to Jammu, Maharja Gulab Singh established a communication link between Jammu and Kashmir by creating 38 Dak Chowkies, which were manned by harkaras (foot runners). Later Maharaja Ranbir Singh improved the mail transmission system in the State, especially between Jammu and Srinagar by establishing 129 chowkies (runner stages) from Jammu to Srinagar. Mail used to be conveyed from Jammu to Srinagar (298 km) by the harkars in 25-30 hours only.
During 1864 A. D. (Samvat 1921) communication link was established between Jammu and Lahore too. In 1865 A.D. , the Maharaja requested Mr. Hegue, the Postmaster General, to visit J&K and on his recommendations adopted the pattern of Indian Postal System for his own kingdom.
Till 1866, postal charges used to be realized in cash. The Postal stamps were first printed in 1866 A.D. (Samvat 1923) which later bore bilingual legends in Dogri and Persian. Registered letter @4 anna were also introduced. Imperial Post Office in Srinagar was opened in 1867.
The foundation stone of present Srinagar GPO Complex was laid by then Chief Minister Late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in the year 1980.
The Night Post Office Services were inaugurated in Srinagar GPO by Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Honble Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy on 1st September, 2012.
