Blue Dart launches Indian parcel locker service

Blue Dart Express has opened a new parcel locker facility in Gurgaon.
The launch facility is located at Gurgaon’s Unitech, Cyber Park and Blue Dart said that it will be introducing more lockers at “multiple locations across the country”.

In a statement issued yesterday (15 October), Blue Dart added that the parcel locker service is currently available for prepaid e-tail shipment, but “in the next phase, the company will also provide automated payment collection consoles at the facility”.

“This service uses mobile technology in tandem with specially designed lockers to ensure customers get all-day access to their shipments from a safe, secure and convenient facility. As soon as the package is delivered to the PARCEL LOCKER, the e-tail customer will receive a unique security code via SMS. They will have to use this code to unlock the PARCEL LOCKER and collect their shipment at a convenient time. The facility will have an interactive and a parcel storage mechanism,” said Blue Dart. “At a later stage the Parcel Locker will also be used to collect reverse shipments from customers.”

Blue Dart is 75% owned by DHL, which has become a leading player in the parcel locker business since it launched its first parcel locker service in Germany in 2001.

Anil Khanna, the Managing Director of Blue Dart, commented: “Blue Dart is the market leading service provider on the last mile for the e-tailing industry in India. The advent of e-tailing in times when many customers are away from their homes during the greater part of the day created the need for a service like the parcel locker facility. Globally, this service has been a success. I’m confident our customers in India will benefit tremendously from such a mechanism that allows them the convenience of collecting their parcels from a safe facility anytime during the day.”