Shimla, June 13 -- The department of posts has launched a drone delivery trial in Mandi, marking a significant leap toward modernising postal transit in Himachal Pradesh's challenging mountainous terrain.

In a recent test flight conducted in collaboration with drone logistics company Skye Air, a drone transported mail from the Mandi head post office to the hilltop Rehardhar branch post office in the Drang assembly constituency.

The aerial service covered the route spanning a 12-km road distance but just 6km as the crow flies in a mere six minutes.

On the return leg, the drone carried accumulated parcels and postal items back to the central hub in 12 minutes.

According to Sanjay Kumar, deputy superintendent at the Mandi head post offic...