Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart and other quick commerce firms have been asked to drop tight delivery timelines.
The move follows reported meetings between government officials and the platforms.
Authorities say the decision is aimed at ensuring better safety, security and welfare for delivery workers.
The Labour ministry of India has officially asked the quick commerce brands including Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart and others to remove the 10 minute delivery time limit. This comes after a CNBC report suggested that meetings were held with the brands. With this, the authorities aim to ensure improved working conditions for the workers.
SurveyAs per the reports, Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Madaviya flagged the issue of intense delivery pressure and stressful working conditions faced by gig workers, prompting discussions between the government and major platforms.
Tensions had escalated late last year, with a section of gig workers staging a strike on December 31, New Year’s Eve, to protest against long hours and mounting pressure linked to rapid delivery targets.
Blinkit has already implemented changes, removing the 10-minute delivery promise from its branding. Sources said the company has revised its messaging to focus on the range of products available rather than speed, signalling a shift in how quick commerce services are being positioned. Other aggregators are expected to make similar changes in the coming days.
However, the brands have not issued any official statements at the moment. The move is aimed at improving safety, reducing work-related stress and ensuring better overall working conditions for delivery partners. It also follows growing unrest among gig workers, who have been demanding fairer pay structures and more sustainable workloads.
Recently, a video of a delivery agent jumping out of the train went viral, raising concerns about the safety and stress among the workers. The incident happened on the night of January 6, 2026 at Andhra Pradesh where the delivery agent boarded the Prashanti Express (Train No. 18464) to hand over a food order to a passenger in the First AC coach and to get off, he had to jump.
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Ashish Singh
Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. He's been wrangling tech jargon since 2020 (Times Internet, Jagran English '22). When not policing commas, he's likely fueling his gadget habit with coffee, strategising his next virtual race, or plotting a road trip to test the latest in-car tech. He speaks fluent Geek. View Full Profile
