Viral Video of India Post Staff Tossing Mailbags at Pratapgarh Station Prompts Probe; Department Blames Lack of Infrastructure

Shocking Video Sparks Immediate Investigation

The Department of Posts, under India Post, has initiated disciplinary action against staff members after a disturbing video went viral on social media showing employees of the Railway Mail Service (RMS) carelessly throwing mailbags and parcels onto the railway tracks at Pratapgarh Junction in Uttar Pradesh.

The clip, which was widely shared across platforms like Instagram and Twitter, showed workers indiscriminately flinging packages from a train coach onto the tracks, causing widespread public outrage over the reckless handling of potentially fragile or valuable customer shipments. The man who recorded the video expressed shock and disbelief at the casual indifference shown by the employees.

The official India Post account responded directly to the viral post, stating: “We sincerely regret the incident shown in the video. The matter has been taken cognizance of and necessary action has been initiated. We remain committed to ensuring safe handling of all mail.”

Inquiry Points to Infrastructure Failure

Senior India Post officials immediately launched an inquiry into the matter, which has since been verified as genuine. The investigation found that the employees were indeed using an improper and unsafe method of parcel dispatch.

However, the inquiry also highlighted a significant operational bottleneck at the station:

• Lack of Access: There is currently no sloped footbridge or appropriate ramp connecting Platforms 2 and 3 to the Railway Mail Service (RMS) office, which is located on Platform 1.

• Operational Pressure: Due to the high volume of mail carried by trains like the Punjab Mail, and the inability to use trolleys across the tracks, staff often resort to crossing the tracks and using unsafe methods like tossing the mailbags to rush the dispatch process and avoid train delays.

Corrective Action Initiated

Following the findings, the Postmaster General of the Prayagraj region confirmed that the department has taken two primary actions:

1. Disciplinary Proceedings: Disciplinary action has been initiated against the employees who were directly involved in the careless handling of the packages. Strict instructions have been issued across the division to prevent any recurrence of such incidents.

2. Infrastructure Request: India Post has formally written a letter to the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Lucknow Division, urging the immediate construction of the necessary sloped infrastructure, such as a footbridge, to facilitate the safe and proper movement of mail trolleys between the platforms and the RMS office.

The incident underscores the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades at major railway junctions to ensure the integrity and safe delivery of public mail.