Rapido Delivery Timelines in Bengaluru Put Food Delivery Riders at Risk

Tight delivery timelines, in-app nudges, and countdown timers on Rapido’s zero-commission food delivery platform Ownly are allegedly putting delivery partners under severe pressure to complete orders quickly, raising safety concerns across Bengaluru.

Delivery workers report that navigating the city's heavy traffic and unpredictable road conditions under strict time limits forces them to take dangerous risks on the road to avoid penalties and financial losses.

Mehaboob Pasha, a former Rapido food delivery partner, stated that the platform allows riders roughly five minutes for every kilometre. If a worker fails to deliver the order within the stipulated countdown time, customers may cancel the order, leaving the delivery partner to bear the resulting financial loss.

To reach destinations before the timer runs out, riders are frequently forced to speed, putting their lives in danger, Pasha explained. He noted that the constant pressure and resulting losses eventually forced him to stop working for the platform altogether.

Another delivery partner, Arumugam, whose name was changed, pointed out that adhering to these strict schedules is especially challenging given Bengaluru’s persistent traffic congestion. While the platform continues to attract captains with various incentive schemes, the immense strain of meeting tight delivery windows makes sustaining the work difficult, driving many riders to leave the platform.

Worker unions have voiced sharp criticism over the working conditions. Shaik Salauddin, National General Secretary of the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT), stated that the safety of gig workers cannot be compromised in the race for faster deliveries.

Salauddin emphasized that gig workers are human resources trying to earn a livelihood, questioning who takes responsibility if a rider meets with an accident. He added that while platform companies continuously generate opportunities, it cannot come at the expense of safety and security, noting the lack of government intervention in regulating such platforms.

When contacted regarding the concerns raised by delivery partners and union representatives, a Rapido spokesperson stated that the company would not be commenting on the matter at the moment.