Food delivery e-commerce platforms are uniting to protect their suppliers from the heatwave

As large parts of India are hit by a heatwave and temperatures are above normal levels in several cities, food delivery and e-commerce platforms have come up with a number of measures to protect their suppliers from the scorching heat.

Food delivery platform Zomato has set up 450 rest stops for delivery drivers across the country, irrespective of the company. Rest points are equipped with comfortable seats, free drinking water, mobile charging points and clean toilets.

It has purchased over 5 lakh units of snacks, juices and glucose which will be distributed to active delivery partners at over 450 locations in over 250 cities.

“To address any emergency health/medical needs, 15-minute ambulance service and 24/7 SOS assistance are made available to all providers in over 530 cities to ensure immediate and rapid assistance when needed.

“We are also sending out advance warnings about upcoming heatwaves and have introduced full-sleeved dry T-shirts for all delivery drivers,” said Rakesh Ranjan, CEO, Food Delivery, Zomato.

Zomato also urged X users to avoid ordering during the afternoon peak hours unless absolutely necessary.

Swiggy’s fast trading platform Swiggy Instamart operates over 900 charging zones in high-demand areas that offer rest areas, refreshment drinks, mobile charging points and toilets available to all vendors across the industry.

Blinkit, the fast trading platform owned by Zomato, has integrated SOS support in the delivery app to provide quick assistance in medical emergencies.

Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa said the company is installing air coolers in the waiting areas of its stores to provide immediate relief from the heat.

All active service providers on both Zomato and Blinkit are insured with IPD cover up to Rs 1,00,000 and OPD cover up to Rs 5,000 for medical assistance at no additional cost, Ranjan added.

E-commerce platform Flipkart is also taking steps to protect its wish champions (delivery workers) from the scorching summer.

“Flipkart’s supply chain is the backbone of our business, and as an employee-first organization that prioritizes a culture of care, we ensure our last-mile managers have constant access to the right resources.

“During the current summer season, several additional elements of our wish champions’ daily routine include distributing glucose drinks, providing additional fans and refrigerators throughout the facility, and facilitating summer safety management briefings to ensure compliance with heatwave advisories,” said Prajakta Kanaglekar, vice president and HR leader at Flipkart.