Directly stepping into the cyber world, India post is going to launch its own 

e-commerce portal in the shape of those like Amazon or eBay soon. The 

aggressive step of India Post, world's largest postal service, is a part of its

 massive IT based modernization initiative worth Rs 5,000 crore.

"At planning and designing phase now, the final rollover of the dedicated 

postal e-commerce portal may take another 6 months. But we are excited 

about this new avatar in our service basket," Mr. John Samuel, member of

 Postal Services Board told ET.

As he describes, the portal will be like popular e-commerce entities like 

Amazon or eBay. A conduit between buyers and sellers. But, it is not going to be

 entirely open for any item to be traded by anyone. Rather a moderated and 

scrutinized list will be followed. Local specialties like Tea from Darjeeling, Mango

 from Malda in West Bengal or Saffron BSE -4.86%  from Kashmir will have emphasize

 in that.

India Post is Tying up with different controlling authorities like Spices Board,

 Tea Board, or cashew Board to ensure 'quality trading of quality items only'- 

as Mr. Samuel puts it.

In addition to the physical products, services of different public sector are 

also being planned to be included into the tradable items of the portal.

"Wide and fast growing coverage of Internet through computer and mobile 

phones are bringing more and more people from even remote corners to 

the doorsteps of e-commerce. There lies our new opportunity. Moreover 

delivery of the items is a major issue for all e-commerce authorities. 

Here also India post excel's with its 1.5 lakh establishments and time 

tested connectivity network," he said.