Blinkit cloud kitchen slapped with Rs 5 lakh fine for waste and plastic violations

Noida Authority officials found that the establishment was not segregating waste at source and used single-use plastic for packaging among other violations

Earlier this year, the mobile app-based platform, Blinkit, which used to earlier deliver groceries and other essentials, had expanded into delivery of ready-to-eat food items. (file)

The Noida Authority on Monday imposed a penalty of Rs 5 lakh on a cloud kitchen operated by Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd — the legal entity behind Blinkit, one of India’s largest app-based quick commerce platforms — for alleged violations of solid waste management and plastic ban norms.

Earlier this year, the mobile app-based platform, Blinkit, which used to earlier deliver groceries and other essentials, had expanded into delivery of ready-to-eat food items. The recently launched food-focused vertical, Bistro by Blinkit, delivers items such as coffee, sandwiches, rolls, burgers, finger foods, cakes, tea, chaat, juices, coolers, shakes, etc. — with deliveries promised within 15 minutes.

The action on Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd, was followed by a ground-level inspection of a cloud kitchen in Sector 62, conducted under the leadership of Noida Authority’s public health officer, as part of the its preparations for ‘Swachh Survekshan’, India’s annual cleanliness survey that ranks cities and towns on different metrics pertaining to sanitation, hygiene, and waste management.

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“During the inspection, several serious deficiencies were found. The establishment was not segregating waste at source, liquid waste was being discharged into the sewer, and garbage was being handed over to unauthorised scrap dealers who were dumping it at different locations in the city,” the Noida Authority said.

Officials also found that the cloud kitchen was using single-use plastic for packaging, which is prohibited in Noida. Single-use plastic containers weighing around 50 kg were seized from the premises.

“The area around the building was extremely dirty, with food waste and garbage dumped in nearby parks and open spaces. Such practices are unacceptable for bulk waste generators,” the authority also stated.

Citing non-compliance with bulk waste generation regulations and Solid Waste Management Rules, the Noida Authority has imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh on the company and issued a warning of stricter punitive action in case of continued violations. Following this, the authority carried out an anti-plastic drive at Amrapali Princely Market in Noida Sector 76, during which shopkeepers were sensitised and enforcement action was taken against violators. Officials seized 150 kg of plastic from Cold Rock Cafe and 60 kg from Al Nawab Biryani. An inspection at RCube Monad Mall in Sector 42 later in the day led to the seizure of around 80 kg of single-use plastic.

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Zepto licence cancelled in June

In June 2025, the FDA had suspended the licence of a cloud kitchen of quick commerce app Zepto in Mumbai’s Dharavi after detecting violations like fungal growth on food items, storage of products near stagnant water, storage of expired and fresh goods together, items placed on wet floor.

In January, an Instagram user visited the area where many cloud kitchens operate from, in Mumbai, leaving social media users shocked as it was surrounded by muddy streets and potholes.

Saman Husain

Saman Husain is a Correspondent at The Indian Express. Based in New Delhi, she is an emerging voice in political journalism, reporting on civic governance, elections, migration, and the social consequences of policy, with a focus on ground-reporting across Delhi-NCR and western Uttar Pradesh. Professional Profile Education: She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science (Honours) from Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, and is an alumna of the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai. Core Beats: Her reporting focuses on the national capital’s governance and politics. She specializes in Delhi’s civic administration and the city units of the BJP, AAP and Congress. In western Uttar Pradesh, she mostly reports on crime. Specialization: She has a keen interest in electoral processes and politics — her recent contributions include work on electoral roll revisions. Recent Notable Articles (since July 2025) Her recent work reflects a strong show-not-tell approach to storytelling, combining narrative reporting with political and historical context: 1. Politics: “On the banks of the Yamuna, a political tussle for Purvanchali support” (October 6): A report on how migration histories shaped electoral strategies in Delhi before the Bihar elections. “Explained: How Delhi’s natural drainage vanished gradually over the centuries” (September 29): An explanatory piece tracing the historical reasons that eventually led to the erosion of Delhi’s rivers and its impact on perrenial flooding. 2. Longforms “Four weddings, three funerals: How a Uttar Pradesh man swindled insurance companies” (October 7): A long-read reconstructing a chilling fraud by a man who killed three of his family members, including both his parents for insurance proceeds. His fourth wife discovered his fraud… “How Ghaziabad conman operated fake embassy of a country that doesn’t exist — for 9 years” (July 27) : A story on bizarre fraud operation and the institutional blind spots that enabled it. 3. Crime and Justice: “He was 8 when his father was killed. Fifteen years later, in UP’s Shamli, he took revenge” (October 18): A deeply reported crime story tracing cycles of violence, memory and justice in rural Uttar Pradesh. “Who killed 19 girls in Nithari? With the SC rejecting appeals, there are no answers and no closure” (July 31): A report capturing the long legal and emotional aftermath of one of India’s most chilling unsolved criminal cases. 4. Policy Impact “At Manthan, over US tariffs, Delhi-NCR’s apparel industry brainstorms solutions” (September 8) and “Trump’s 50% tariff begins to bite: Agra’s leather belt feels the impact” (August 13) : Reports documenting how global trade decisions ripple through local industries, workers and exporters. Signature Style Saman is recognized for her grassroots storytelling. Her articles often focus on the "people behind the policy". She is particularly skilled at taking mundane administrative processes and turning them into compelling human narratives. X (Twitter): @SamanHusain9 ... Read More

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