Reinventing itself in the face of stiff competition from courier companies, the Bengaluru Postal Region has chosen an unconventional line of business — delivering dosa and idli batter and ready-to-cook and eat products. Already delivery of such products has started in the city.

Officials of the department see this segment as revenue generating if it can be expanded to cover the State and other regions too.

The Chief Postmaster General of Karnataka Circle, S. Rajendra Kumar told the New Indian Express that products of Hallimane group are being delivered in Bengaluru on a pilot basis. "A total of 22 parcels comprising batter and different instant mixes were booked on Monday. We are presently booking them as Business parcels with the delivery being assured the same day itself even if it crosses the regular delivery hours of the postal department. It has just begun in a small manner but if it picks up in popularity, then we are looking at a huge volume of orders from different firms involved in the food business. That could translate into an attractive business opportunity for the postal department.”

At present the usual postal delivery staff is handling this pilot project, in future a special team is expected to be set up.

While not in competition with food delivery apps, Kumar said if companies packed perishable products in a way that it remains fresh for a few days, then his department will consider delivering them not just in Karnataka and India but also abroad.

The parcels delivered so far included not just idli and dosa batter but also ready-to-eat mixes of kharabath, bisibele bath, ghee Pongal and kesaribath and chutney powder.