Assam: Dhubri postal delivery under scrutiny after parcel marked delivered fails to reach recipient

The functioning of the postal delivery system in Assam's Dhubri district has come under scrutiny following allegations that parcels are being recorded as successfully delivered in official records despite not reaching their intended recipients.

The issue surfaced after a local resident, Ajibur Rahman, reported that he received an automated SMS notification from the postal department on May 29 stating that a parcel addressed to him had been successfully delivered. However, according to Rahman, the parcel never reached him.

After waiting for six days and finding no trace of the package, Rahman submitted a written complaint to the Superintendent of Post Offices, Goalpara Division, Dhubri, seeking an inquiry into the matter.

In his complaint, Rahman alleged that delivery records had been falsely updated and named postal department employee Atifa Akhtara Sanam as being responsible for marking the parcel as delivered despite its non-receipt.

The complaint has drawn attention to broader concerns regarding postal delivery practices in the district. Residents have alleged that while official records often reflect successful deliveries, several parcels and letters either reach recipients after considerable delays or fail to reach them altogether.

Locals have also raised concerns over earlier instances in which postal articles were reportedly handed over at market locations rather than being delivered directly to the addresses mentioned on the consignments.

The latest allegation has prompted demands for a transparent investigation into the functioning of the delivery system. Members of the public have called for a review of delivery tracking procedures, accountability measures for staff found responsible for irregularities, and corrective steps to ensure that delivery records accurately reflect the status of postal consignments.

Postal authorities are yet to issue an official response regarding the allegations contained in the complaint.