India
Floating Post Office on Dal Lake Extends Hours to 12‑Hour Shift
By Naseer Ganai
The only floating post office in India, located on a houseboat at Nehru Park on Dal Lake in Srinagar, will now operate for 12 hours a day instead of five. The Department of Posts announced that the office will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The change comes after increased footfall and public demand for services outside regular hours. Chief Postmaster General for Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, Col Sagar Hanuman Singh, visited the facility, reviewed arrangements and spoke with locals and tourists. He said the extension aims to give greater convenience to customers, including residents, houseboat operators and visitors. The post office began in 1953 as a simple postal boat serving Dal Lake communities and was officially renamed the Floating Post Office in 2011, a concept introduced by then‑postmaster general John Samuel. The office also houses a museum of rare stamps and postcards that illustrate the postal history of Jammu and Kashmir, and it has become a popular tourist attraction.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the floating post office located?
It is on a houseboat at Nehru Park on Dal Lake in Srinagar.
What are the new operating hours?
The office will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., 12 hours a day.
When was the post office established and renamed?
It began in 1953 as a postal boat and was officially renamed the Floating Post Office in 2011.