Raghav Chadha worked as a Blinkit rider to experience gig workers’ hardships as the Centre removes the 10-minute delivery target rule.
New Delhi: Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha spent a night working as a gig delivery rider to personally experience the stress, risks and difficulties faced by delivery workers. His initiative comes at a time when the Centre has announced an important policy change — Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that platforms such as Blinkit, Zepto, Zomato and Swiggy will remove the mandatory 10-minute delivery target following sustained efforts to improve workers’ conditions.
The Aam Aadmi Party leader has consistently raised issues related to gig workers in Parliament. Earlier this month, he accompanied Shivam, a Blinkit rider from Haryana, during an overnight shift in Delhi’s harsh winter.
In a YouTube video uploaded on Monday, Chadha said, “Today, I will work as a Blinkit rider and make door-to-door deliveries at night. I want to understand the daily challenges delivery riders face and make their invisible struggles visible.”
Shivam, who has been working as a rider for about one and a half years, shared the harsh realities of the job. Over tea and peanuts, he explained that while many people believe riders earn ₹40,000–₹50,000 per month, the actual income is often barely half of that despite long working hours.
His day typically starts at 7 am and ends around 11 pm, leaving him with just two to three hours of rest after completing household chores. He described the work as physically exhausting and mentally stressful.
Shivam also showed how the app frequently changes distances, forcing riders to take risks, including riding against traffic, to meet delivery deadlines. “If I follow all the rules, the customer says I’m late and my order gets affected,” he said.
During one delivery of 2.7 km, he earned only ₹44 after spending 19 minutes, and return trips are unpaid. On his busiest day, he completed 54 deliveries, working continuously for 17–18 hours without proper food or water.
Despite such effort, earnings remain extremely low — roughly ₹1 per minute — while riders bear all expenses such as fuel, food and vehicle maintenance, leaving little real income.
Shivam expressed deep frustration over the lack of support from companies in case of accidents. He recalled breaking his hand and leg in separate incidents but continuing to work even with injuries. He said the pressure of meeting the 10-minute target and chasing incentives led to multiple accidents. Despite submitting medical documents and paying for private treatment, he received no compensation or insurance support.
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He also claimed that even after sending photos of his injuries, he was asked to complete deliveries or face penalties. Customer complaints, cancellations or technical errors often result in arbitrary deductions and loss of incentives.
When asked about his dreams, Shivam shared that he once wanted to join the Indian Army, but now spends most of his life on the road delivering orders.
He currently earns around ₹22,000–₹24,000 per month, of which ₹9,000 goes towards bike rent. Fuel, food and repairs further reduce his savings. He works daily for 13–14 hours under constant pressure to stay online and secure orders. He also spoke about instances of stolen orders, disappearing customers and technical glitches that resulted in penalties without adequate company support.
Shivam said that growing public attention on gig workers’ issues has sparked national discussions and expressed hope that this would lead to meaningful improvements in safety and income for workers.