Kolkata: Blue Dart Express Ltd is all set to invest about Rs.10 billion to increase its coverage to 17,500 cities across India in the next three to five years.

"We plan to increase our network to 17,500 cities across the country, of which 2,400 would be in the eastern region. About Rs.10 billion would be invested for the purpose over a period of next three to five years," Blue Dart vice-president (eastern region) Amod Dasgupta told IANS here Thursday.

Currently, the company covers 14,600 locations across India.

Keeping in mind the rapid growth of tier-II and tier-III cities in eastern India, Blue Dart intends to introduce seven new warehouses in the region by 2010, he said.

"We have already identified three locations, including in Kolkata and Guwahati, for setting up our warehouses," Dasgupta said, adding that eastern India has seen a sea change in the economic activities in the past few years.

Blue Dart Express Thursday launched its ground service, Surfaceline, in eastern India, strengthening better coverage across important cities through a proposed route development network.

"The small and medium enterprises and special economic zones based in the east would provide an impetus for growth and economic prosperity of this region. The new ground service of Blue Dart would ensure better trade connectivity between the eastern region and the rest of the country," Dasgupta said