KOCHI: The shifting of the post office at Kaloor to a new building on the Deshabhimani-Karugappally Road, instead of taking up readily-available government buildings in Kaloor, has come in for criticism with the public and pensioners saying it would cause inconvenience for them to reach the spot, which is away from the centrally-located current post office. The Postal Department has decided to move to the first floor of Kerala Gramin Bank building, paying a higher rent, alleged postal officers. The post office currently pays `20,000 per month in rent. At the new building, the rent is more than double at `42,000 per month.
The post office, presently located at Kaloor junction below the Speed Wings office building, is easy to reach. “The present location is near the metro station and bus stand. It will be difficult for people to access if it is shifted to the Deshabhimani-Karugappally Road,” said Sangeetha S, a city resident. Meanwhile, the shifting of the post office — with the lease agreement expiring at the Kaloor location — to a new building owned by one John K Konthuruthy has also raked up a controversy with allegations that he is connected to the assistant director of the department.
“The decisions are made at the Postmaster General’s Office. When the lease agreement expires, it can be negotiated with the party or another place with reasonable rent can be found by the Postal Department. Several governmental buildings are vacant in Kaloor and Kathirikadavu, but the department has chosen to relocate to a place which is not easily accessible,” said a source. Usually, post offices are situated on the ground floor of a building, for the convenience of senior citizens and people who cannot use the stairs.
“But the move of the Postal Department to shift the office to the first floor is unusual. If the power fails, the lift will fail to operate and senior citizens will be forced to use the stairs,” said Geetha R, a senior citizen.Though the consent letter for the new building has been approved by the Fair Rent Assessment Committee, it may reconsider the decision due to due to the growing complaints.