Guidelines for upgradation of rented building post office as per standard of Project Arrow - Look and Feel

Guidelines regarding upgradation of post offices functioning from rented buildings on the standards prescribed in Project Arrow

Background

Since its launch in 2009, Project Arrow has successfully standardized design and operations in departmental buildings of India Post. As post offices working in rented buildings from a significant part of the postal network, implementing these standards in these spaces is essential.

Applying Project Arrow guidelines to rented buildings will help addressing common challenges, such as limited space and shared facilities. This ensures a consistent and efficient customer experience across all locations. Uniform branding also builds trust and recognition among customers.

By adapting Project Arrow standards in rented buildings, India Post will enhance its services, improve organization, and create a welcoming environment that meets customer needs

Common challenges faced in implementing Branding norms in Rented Buildings

• Location of the Building
• Space Limitations
• Signage Restrictions
• Aesthetic Compatibility
• Branding Limitations

Conditions which necessitate relocation of buildings

• Structural Safety Issue

2.Accessibility Issues

• Space Constraints
• Poor Visibility and Location

In view of the proposed upgradation of 1000 post offices functioning from rented buildings stands sort-listed on the recommendation of the Circles. These are to be taken as Pilot Project. Following guidelines are to be followed while implementing the project: -

1. Colour wash

All the photographs/notices etc, pasted on the walls must be cleared before colour wash. If required, putty works may be applied. The interior walls of the post office be of white color. The exterior of the post office should be as per the existing color scheme red and white. The combination of two colours must be aesthetically maintained. Colour wash should be done with 1st quality acrylic distemper (white cement-based putty).

2. Tiles

Vitrified tiles are to be fixed in public hall floor. The color of the tiles will be white.

3. Signages

i. Main Signboard

Signages at the front of the Post Office should be in between the ratio of 3:1 to 5:1. Dimension of signboard may be determined based on the shape/size of the building and the space available for installing the signboard. The signboard has to be backlit. The white portion in the extreme right, earlier applied, has been done away. Colour scheme has to be modified accordingly. The signboard background will be full postal red as indicated below. The location of the signboard should be prominent, so that it should be visible from distance and a height of not less than 10 ft.

ii. Signboard at bye lane/corner (Vertical Signboard)

This is the new addition in the series of signages which can be installed on the corner to enhance the visibility of the post offices and establish the brand image. The dimension of the signboard at by lane/corner should be 600mmx1000mm. This dimension should be uniform in all buildings. The signboard needs to be backlit. The corner signboard should be hung as indicated in picture.

4. Wall Mounted Standee 

In the Project Arrow, there was a standee which was backlit and installed outside the building. Keeping in view the limitations of rented buildings, it has been decided that standees will be of smaller sizes and wall mounted. Ratio of the wall mounted standee should be 1:2. It should be in the three sizes 2’x4’, 2.5’x5’ and 3’x6’. This may be mounted on the wall inside the public hall or outside the public hall taking into account the security and suitability. Standee need not be backlit essentially, but be backlit also. Material for wall mounted standee may be either acrylic sheet or a metallic sheet of appropriate size fixed with steel fastener or brackets. List of prominent services may be indicated in it, as served by the Post Office.

5. Counters

Counters will be similar as specified in Blue Book of Project Arrow issued in 2009. Parcel counter and Aadhar counter will carry the same colour scheme, but should allow customer interface for conversation and photograph-biometric capture.

Proposed Aadhaar Counter Table

6. Hall and Counter Lights

i. Ceiling mounted LED tube light will replace the conventional lights to improve the look as well as the working condition.

7. Shutter

Wherever there is shutter in a rented building, it should be painted postal red in colour and with India Post logo as indicated below.

8. Chairs for Customers
Aluminum/steel chairs in grey/steel colour should be provided in the public hall similar to that of supplied under Project Arrow. It may be two-seater or three-seater as per availability of space.
9. The storage should be minimized, as full-scale computerization has taken place in post offices. It is advised that only storage as envisaged in Blue Book be kept in the Public Hall to enhance and provide consistent “Look & Feel” and reduce clutter from public view.
10. Execution of the above work may be done as per the following: -
i. Circle Head is overall in-charge of execution of work. He/she may take assistance of Civil Wing, if required. Provisions of General Financial Rules, 2017 and other guidelines issued time after time must be followed while executing the work.
ii. Shape, size, location, design of gate etc. in a rented building may vary from one building to another. Dimension of signboard, wall mounted standee, side corner vertical signboard should be determined at the level of Senior Superintendent of Posts or higher level only.
iii. If some confusion arises, Chief PMG may decide in view of the local conditions and aesthetic of the office.
iv. W.r.t. to fund utilization, amount to be spent per post office will be Rs. 2 lakhs. Rs.50 thousands may be utilized for civil and electrical work and remaining Rs.1.50 lakhs for removable items like counters, signages etc. Saving from one post office can be utilized on another post office but total fund spent will not exceed the total fund allotted to the Circle for this purpose.
v. The Circles should commence the work immediately after receiving the fund/guidelines to execute the work
vi. The task of upgradation of the post offices should be completed by 28.02.2025.
vii. The Circles may submit completion certificate of the task by first week of the March positively
viii. For guidance, some rented buildings have been taken up as case study and has been redone with the examples from A to F (Photographs attached with details from A to F). The case study will give a broader idea for implantation of these guidelines.

Case Study for A Observation

In the existing post office building as shown in Picture A1, there is a door and a window. The wall has been shabbily maintained. The posters mounted on the wall and painting done are giving wrong feeling. The signboard of India Post isnot in correct proportion and placed at the corner.

Suggestion

i. The colour wash suggest that there should not be anything on the wall except signboard and standee.

ii. In Picture A2, suggestion has been made for correct placement of signboard, vertical signboard and wall mounted standee.

iii. Appropriate dimensions have also been marked.

iv. Letter Box placed at the front of the gate should be placed appropriately, so that it does not obstruct the visibility.

Case Study for Post Office B

Observation

In the existing post office building as shown in Picture B1, there is a door and an iron gate which are not painted properly. The wall has been shabbily maintained. The painting done is giving awkward feeling to the wall. Some painted information is shown in patches which is creating very bad look. The signboard of India Post is not in correct proportion/design/colour and its placement is also not proper.

Suggestion

i. Proper color wash should be done on the wall. Gate should be painted. There should not be anything on the wall except signboard and standee. 

ii. Suggestion has been made for correct placement of signboard, vertical signboard and wall mounted standee.

iii. Appropriate dimensions have also been marked for signboard, standee and corner signboard.

iv. Letter Box should be placed appropriately, so that it does not obstruct the visibility.

Case Study for Post Office C

Observation

In the existing post office building as shown in Picture C1, the building is triple storeyed and the post office is located at first floor. There is a shutter door and two windows visible from street. The painting done to the wall is not as per the color scheme, i.e., red and white. The India Post signboard and IPPB signboard are not placed at the right area. The signboard of India Post is not in correct proportion and its placement is also not proper.

Suggestion

i. Proper color wash should be done (red and white) on the space given to post office. Shutter should be painted as specified. From outside, the brand/identity of the post office must be established. 

ii. Suggestion has been made for correct placement of signboard and Corner/vertical signboard.

iii. Appropriate dimensions have also been marked for signboard and corner signboard.

Click below link to download PDF with SOP/Guidelines for Upgradation of rented Post Offices under Look and Feel

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