“We are facing a severe staff crunch. But we are managing with what we have. Though the number of letters received for the entire MDC area, which covers sectors 4, 5, Saketri, Bhainsa Tibba village and surrounding villages, runs into thousands, there are only two postmen for the beat,” said an official of the post office, MDC, Panchkula on the condition of anonymity.

Another official at the post office said generally a postman is supposed to attend to around 500 houses in a day. In the case of MDC , however, the number exceeds one thousand, he added.

President of the Forum for Common Cause, Panchkula, Deepak Rai Walia, who is also a resident of the MDC, said, “Postal delays and speed post delays are being experienced in the area. Besides, as the MDC area is being expanded, it is high time that the number of staff is increased for the area.”

Mohinder Singh, another resident of the area, said the delays in the delivery of ordinary and speed posts is routine.