On Thursday, online food and grocery delivery platforms reassured the public that they are well-prepared to maintain uninterrupted services, even amidst the anticipated surge in demand. This assurance comes as a result of most of their product categories being exempted from any disruptions during the G20 Summit weekend, which is taking place under tight security measures in Delhi-NCR.
Online grocery company Zepto, which became India’s first unicorn of this year, told IANS that with most people working remotely and movement restrictions in place, “we anticipate a significant surge in demand, with a 30-40 per cent rise in New Delhi and over 10 per cent in other NCR cities compared to normal days”.
“To address this surge, we’ve significantly increased our inventory in New Delhi and other NCR cities and secured necessary approvals for daily replenishable items like dairy and vegetables,” a company spokesperson said.
In order to guarantee uninterrupted service, prioritize rider safety, and ensure smooth deliveries, certain online platforms for food and essential item deliveries have taken proactive measures. These include blocking off restricted routes in their navigation systems and reassigning riders from high-impact areas to alternative stores or locations.
“Additionally, control towers have been set up to support riders with on-ground concerns, if any. At Zepto, we are well-prepared to meet the increased demand while maintaining the highest level of service excellence,” said the company.
On Thursday, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, V. K. Saxena, conducted a comprehensive assessment of security, cleanliness, beautification readiness, and other associated preparations in the National Capital. He remarked that Delhi is fully adorned and ready to extend a warm welcome to the dignitaries and delegates attending the G20 Summit.
As part of his inspection, Saxena also toured the advanced Control Room established by the Delhi Police at its headquarters, which is equipped to monitor every corner of the city with precision. The Delhi Police Commissioner provided Saxena with an overview of the security measures and the Control Room’s specifics. This Control Room will receive live footage from more than 5000 CCTV cameras installed throughout various areas of the city.
Zomato has confirmed that it will maintain full operational status for its customers in Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad throughout the duration of the G20 Summit.
“We will also be operational in all of Delhi, except only for the small part of NDMC area where the G20 Summit is being hosted,” said the Deepinder Goyal-run company.
