A public exchange between two senior industry voices has brought India’s ultra fast delivery model under renewed scrutiny, as concerns over rider safety and working conditions intersect with record order volumes.
Former Jet Airways chief executive Sanjiv Kapoor questioned the necessity of 10 minute deliveries in Indian cities after Zomato founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal said his platforms continued operating at full scale on New Year’s Eve despite strike calls by sections of gig workers. Kapoor’s comments came in response to Goyal’s social media post highlighting operational performance on December 31.
According to Goyal, Zomato and Blinkit together fulfilled more than 75 lakh orders for over 63 lakh customers in a single day, supported by around 4.5 lakh delivery partners. He noted that the platforms maintained normal service levels and said law enforcement support helped prevent disruptions. The companies also said deliveries were completed without offering incentives beyond what is typically paid on New Year’s Eve.
Kapoor did not contest the data but shifted the focus to delivery timelines. He questioned whether such speed was essential outside of medical needs, asking if extending delivery windows to 30 minutes or an hour would meaningfully harm consumers while easing pressure on riders. His remarks echoed long standing complaints from delivery partners who argue that tight timelines increase stress and elevate accident risks in already congested urban environments.
Goyal, in an earlier post, defended the gig economy model, stating that systems which consistently attract and retain large numbers of workers cannot be described as fundamentally unfair. He also framed the sector as a major source of organised employment with long term social impact.
The exchange unfolded amid coordinated protests by gig workers on December 25 and December 31. Unions including the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union and the Indian Federation of App Based Transport Workers claimed that between 1.7 and 2 lakh workers logged off apps nationwide. Their demands included an end to ultra fast delivery targets, restoration of earlier payout structures, safeguards against sudden account blocks, insurance coverage, and mandated rest breaks.
As quick commerce continues to expand rapidly, the debate highlights a growing tension between consumer convenience, platform growth, and the sustainability of work conditions on the ground.
