In close proximity to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) stands the formidable edifice of Mumbai’s General Post Office, a centenarian institution striving to maintain relevance in an era dominated by online communication and digital banking. The largest post office in India and one of the world’s largest, the Mumbai GPO, designed in the Indo-Saracenic style by John Begg, reflects a conscious effort by the British to blend their administrative structures with local architectural styles, as explained by P N Ranjit Kumar, the postmaster general for the Mumbai Region.
Maintaining this Grade I heritage building poses a substantial challenge, with general upkeep costs starting from Rs 50 lakh. Conservation work, estimated at Rs 16 crore, remains unaffordable within existing funds, prompting a search for private partnerships. During monsoons, protective measures, such as covering the facade with plastic, are implemented to safeguard the structure.
Constructed between 1904 and 1913 at a cost of 18,09,000 rupees, the GPO occupies land formerly designated for staff quarters of St John’s Hospital. The Business Hall, unique with 101 counters, now features a 1200 square metre large bi-centenary hall.
Over the past decade, the GPO, home to over 1500 employees, has been diligently transitioning to offer online services to cater to the preferences of the younger generation. With a focus on providing online accessibility for all services, including banking, across India by 2017, the GPO aims to adapt to the evolving technological landscape.
Despite the decline in traditional letter-writing, the post office has found new roles in delivering government social service and pension schemes. Initiatives such as e-post, introduced in 2003, and instant money order services have proven successful, generating significant revenue from financial services.
The GPO faces the challenge of adapting to the digital age, reflected in ongoing employee training to enhance technological proficiency. The philatelic section, once a haven for stamp collectors, is being reinvented to appeal to a modern audience. Philatelic exhibitions and stamp festivals seek to revive interest, promoting stamps as vehicles for storytelling.
While the GPO contends with shifting demographics and profitability challenges, particularly with the focus moving from South Mumbai to Northern and Suburban areas, it remains optimistic about future prospects. The rise of e-commerce has brought growth to parcel processing centers, and the GPO is embracing both modernity and tradition by planning to open a gift shop selling stationery and curios within its premises by January 26.