Centre Orders Swiggy, Zomato To End 10-Minute Delivery Model Over Safety Concerns

New Delhi: The Central government has asked quick commerce companies such as Swiggy, Zomato and Blinkit to discontinue their 10-minute delivery model, citing concerns over road safety and the welfare of delivery workers.

Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the ultra-fast delivery promise puts excessive pressure on gig workers, leading to traffic violations, safety risks and an increased threat to life. The issue was raised following demands from gig workers’ associations, which have flagged unsafe working conditions linked to tight delivery deadlines.

Response from Companies:

Responding to the government’s intervention, quick commerce companies have assured authorities that they will remove fixed delivery-time commitments from their promotional campaigns.

While rapid delivery remains central to the business model of quick commerce platforms, worker groups have stressed the need for improved work culture, safer delivery practices and clearer operational guidelines to protect gig workers.

Also read: Why Delivery Workers Stopped Zomato, Swiggy & Amazon on New Year

Strike of gig workers on the eve of New year:

Thousands of gig workers across India staged a nationwide strike on December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026, by logging out of delivery and e-commerce apps during one of the busiest periods of the year. Organised by multiple gig worker unions, the protest highlighted growing dissatisfaction over falling earnings, opaque algorithm-driven payment systems, unsafe ultra-fast delivery targets, and sudden account deactivations. Workers say these issues have worsened working conditions in India’s rapidly expanding gig economy, prompting renewed calls for stronger labour protections, transparency, and safety regulations for platform-based workers.