DTDC Express has launched Vallam Express, a waterway-based last-mile delivery service in Kerala that takes parcels directly to customers living in areas where roads do not provide easy access.
The service is currently operational in Kuttanad, an Alappuzha sub-district comprising 14 villages and a population of around 2 lakh. Instead of requiring customers to travel by boat to collect parcels from the nearest courier point, DTDC is using local waterways to deliver shipments to their doorsteps.
Vallam Express combines DTDC delivery staff with traditional oarsmen who are familiar with the region’s waterways. Their knowledge of local routes allows the company to reach locations that are difficult or impossible to serve through conventional road-based delivery networks. The model also brings local boatmen into the delivery process, creating additional livelihood opportunities.
The service takes its name from Kerala’s Vallam Kali, the traditional snake boat race associated with speed, coordination and teamwork. DTDC has also launched a brand film for the service during the Onam season under the hashtag #DTDCVallamExpress.
The campaign is built around the line When Roads End, We Ride on Water and uses Kerala’s snake boats and waterways to highlight the idea behind the service. Rather than treating the backwaters as a limitation for delivery, Vallam Express uses them as part of the logistics network.
DTDC plans to operate Vallam Express as a long-term delivery model rather than a seasonal service. As the initiative expands, the company expects it to support more than 5,000 deliveries over the coming year.
The launch highlights a broader challenge for logistics companies operating across geographically diverse markets in India. While conventional last-mile networks are largely built around roads, regions such as Kerala’s backwaters require delivery models that adapt to local geography. Vallam Express is an example of how existing transport systems and local knowledge can be integrated into conventional logistics operations.
Watch the campaign
Commenting on the launch, Abhishek Chakraborty, CEO, DTDC Express, said, “More than a new delivery service, ‘Vallam Express’ reflects DTDC’s philosophy of building logistics solutions that are shaped by local realities and customer needs. By reimagining the last mile through a region-specific delivery model, we continue to strengthen our position as a customer-first logistics brand that develops meaningful solutions for every community it serves.”
Shri S.D. Venukumar, a prominent local figure in Alappuzha, Kerala, who served as the Chairman of the Publicity Committee and President of the Alappuzha Press Club, commented, “Vallam Express is a remarkable initiative by DTDC that reflects inclusivity and a strong commitment to last-mile connectivity. For people living in Kerala’s remote backwater communities, where road connectivity is limited, collecting parcels often means travelling to the mainland and waiting several days.”
He further added, “By introducing delivery through boats, DTDC is bridging this geographical gap and bringing essential logistics services closer to these communities. I would like to congratulate DTDC on introducing such a thoughtful initiative that not only makes deliveries more accessible and convenient but also sets a strong example of how businesses can create meaningful impact through pioneering last-mile solutions.”
