Guwahati, Oct. 12: The head post office in Mangaldoi will become the first postal unit in Assam where one can book train tickets, thanks to a recent agreement between India Post and the Railways.

Director of postal services, Assam Circle, N. Vinodkumar, said the Railways had already done the inspection and tickets would be issued soon.

The joint endeavour of the ministry of railways and the ministry of communications and information technology would benefit all, especially those living in remote areas, he said. Like railway reservation counters, the post office will issue all kinds of tickets, including concessions and military vouchers.

Vinodkumar said the circle was now verifying addresses of subscribers of BSNL mobile connections. The verification process is being conducted with the help of postmen and other delivery staff.

An MoU has already been signed with BSNL for verification of customers’ addresses. Verification of 98,504 applications had been completed so far, he informed.

“We are now verifying the addresses of applicants for new connections. Both sides were facing problems and the joint venture has benefited the organisations,” he said.

He said the circle had earned Rs 28.6 crore by way of revenue in 2006-07, 25 per cent more than its earnings in 2005-06 financial year.

The circle has received an award from the postal directorate for commendable growth in postal life insurance during 2006-07.

Vinodkumar said another 317 post offices would be computerised soon.

“Instant money order service will be launched in all head post offices as soon as BSNL provides broadband service in these locations.” Now the service is operational at four head post offices in Guwahati, Silchar, Jorhat and Tinsukia.

The Assam circle is implementing the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme through post offices in Bongaigaon district.

Around 2,000 savings bank accounts have been opened for the beneficiaries and it is expected that more than 50,000 accounts will be opened shortly.