Date:12/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/09/12/stories/2007091251270700.htm

Back Blue Dart launches Surfaceline; may expand to 17,500 locations

Our Bureau

New Delhi, Sept 11

Blue Dart Express Ltd has launched a new ground express service ‘Surfaceline’ that would help it expand its presence to 17,500 locations from 14,600 currently.

Facilities

The company not only plans to have 58 warehouses across the country by 2010 but also proposes to increase its workforce and add over 1 million square foot of warehousing space.

“The tier II and tier III cities offer increasing opportunities for Surfaceline. Owing to the growing affluence of consumers, these areas witnessed a rapid growth in demand in the recent past.

“The emergence of special economic zones and IT Parks also presents more prospects,” said the Managing Director, Mr Anil Khanna, said on Tuesday at a press conference.

Funding

The company plans to invest Rs 1,000 crore over the next six-eight years in the development of air infrastructure, aircraft and ramping up ground infrastructure facilities, he said.

“The entire funding would be through internal accruals and it would be difficult to say how much funds would be earmarked for what at the moment,” Mr Khanna said.