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Journalism of Courage
Getting orders at your doorstep in just 10 minutes feels like magic. Milk and bread to brand-new iPhones, India’s ultra-fast delivery scene, referred to as quick commerce, is something even foreigners find hard to believe. But while customers marvel at the speed, what is it really like to be the one racing against the clock?
A Blinkit delivery partner recently went viral after a candid interview on Mumbai TV, questioning the ethics behind such intense deadlines. “Police cannot reach in 10 minutes, neither can an ambulance, then why do companies pressurise us to deliver grocery items in 10 minutes?” he asked, a line that resonated widely online.
In the clip, he calmly explains how traffic jams, society gate rules, torrential rains, and bad roads make these promises nearly impossible to keep. “Companies just want business,” he says. “They don’t want to know how it could be possible for us to do it.”
He also sheds light on the risks of rushing through crowded streets, especially during peak hours or monsoon season, times when riders face the most pressure.
The video has sparked a flood of support in the comments section. One user wrote, “Every word he said makes absolute sense. Specially in rains and with roads like that people should be more sensitive and shouldn’t expect 10 minutes delivery even if apps are saying so.” Another user said, “Man. What he said is so true. Coz itna fast grocery isn’t even needed. I hope companies take this into account. Heartbreaking that so many delivery partners are going thru this.”
A student abroad wrote, “No, there are no such rules abroad. People have to learn to be patience towards delivery people here. Nobody expects food or groceries to reach them in 10 minutes. They can since the roads are quite good. But still they don’t. I don’t know why these companies are experimenting in India.”
A fourth individual said, “If I can wait an hour for my restaurant food to arrive, I can wait for my groceries too. 10-minute delivery isn’t a flex, it’s just labor exploitation. And saying “other countries have it” please look at our roads and traffic before comparing.”
