{
  "id": 1957506,
  "title": "Now, last-mile courier delivery for Keralam’s water-bound communities",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/now-last-mile-courier-delivery-for-keralams-water-bound-communities",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-19T14:50:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/now-last-mile-courier-delivery-for-keralams-water-bound-communities/article71365683.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "DTDC Express Ltd has introduced a new last-mile delivery service called \"DTDC Vallam Express\" that delivers parcels to the doorsteps of Keralam's water-bound communities. Inspired by Keralam's traditional snake boat race, Vallamkali, this service aims to overcome the accessibility barrier that existed due to the end of roads in these areas. Traditionally, people in Keralam had to travel by boat to the nearest courier collection point to receive their parcels. The new service directly delivers to customers' doorsteps, making it convenient for communities where waterways are the primary mode of transport. This collaboration between DTDC's delivery professionals and Keralam's traditional oarsmen, who possess extensive knowledge of the region's waterways, ensures seamless navigation through routes that are inaccessible by road. Currently operational in Kuttanad, a sub-district of Alappuzha with 14 villages and a population of approximately two lakh people, the service is expected to facilitate over 5,000 deliveries in the coming year as it scales up.",
  "summary": "DTDC Express Ltd launches “DTDC Vallam Express”, a pioneering waterway-based last-mile delivery service designed to bring parcel deliveries directly to the doorsteps of Keralam’s water-bound communities.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}