New Delhi, January 2, 2026 – Amid growing debates over gig workers’ pay and working conditions, Deepinder Goyal, founder of food delivery platform Zomato, defended the ultra-fast 10-minute delivery promise of his quick-commerce company, Blinkit, saying it does not rely on asking delivery partners to speed, but rather on operational design and store density.

A section of gig workers had staged a massive strike on New Year’s Eve, December 31, demanding better payouts and safer working conditions, highlighting concerns over high-pressure deliveries. In response, Goyal took to social media platform X on Thursday to explain how Blinkit manages to meet its 10-minute delivery commitment while maintaining rider safety.

How Blinkit’s 10-Minute Promise Works

Addressing widespread misconceptions, Goyal clarified that Blinkit’s 10-minute delivery promise is not enabled by pressuring delivery partners to drive faster. Instead, it depends on the strategic density of stores near residential areas, allowing riders to cover short distances efficiently. “It’s not enabled by asking delivery partners to drive fast,” Goyal wrote.

He further explained that Blinkit riders do not have a timer on their app indicating the original time promised to the customer, reducing undue pressure. Once an order is placed, the item is picked and packed within roughly 2.5 minutes, and the rider then travels an average of under two kilometres, completing the journey in approximately eight minutes at an average speed of 15 kmph.

“This is an operational design problem, not a driver risk problem,” Goyal said, emphasizing that the system is built for efficiency rather than speed-induced risk. He acknowledged that, from the outside, it might seem as though 10-minute deliveries could endanger riders, but he insisted that the reality is very different.

Responding to Concerns Over Gig Worker Welfare

Goyal’s comments come amid a growing national conversation on the treatment and remuneration of gig workers, particularly those engaged in quick commerce and food delivery services. Critics have argued that aggressive delivery timelines can lead to unsafe driving practices, stress, and exploitation.

Goyal, however, highlighted that millions of Indians voluntarily choose platform work, sometimes preferring it to conventional jobs, citing flexibility, autonomy, and earning potential as key motivators. “JUST ASK any rider partner when you get your next food or grocery order. You will be humbled by how rational and honest they will be with you,” he said.

He also noted that while the system is far from perfect, it is misrepresented on social media by individuals unfamiliar with the operational complexities of high-speed deliveries. “If I were outside the system, I would also believe that gig workers are being exploited, but that’s not true,” Goyal added.

Record Deliveries During New Year’s Eve

Goyal pointed out that both Zomato and Blinkit achieved record delivery volumes during New Year’s Eve, remaining largely unaffected by the strike. He described this as evidence of the system’s robustness, noting that operational design, rather than pressure on delivery partners, enables high-volume, high-speed service.

He stressed that the company is committed to continuous improvement and making the platform better for workers, customers, and merchants alike. The focus, he said, is on refining processes and technology rather than simply shortening delivery times at the expense of rider safety.

Operational Design Over Speed

According to Goyal, the success of Blinkit’s 10-minute delivery promise relies heavily on store placement strategy, supply chain management, and optimized routing, which allows for quick fulfillment without compromising safety. This contrasts with the popular perception that such services require riders to push beyond safe limits to meet strict timelines.

“The sheer complexity of the system design enables quick deliveries,” Goyal explained, adding that this design is critical to ensuring efficiency while keeping riders safe and reducing pressure-induced risks.

Gig Economy Debate Continues

The New Year strike by gig workers, demanding higher payouts and safer conditions, has reignited national debate over the rights and protections of platform workers. While government notifications and draft rules, such as the proposed 90-day work criterion for social security benefits, aim to regulate gig work, companies like Zomato and Blinkit are emphasizing operational improvements and rider choice as solutions.

Industry analysts suggest that platform work will continue to grow in India, driven by convenience services and e-commerce, making worker welfare and operational design an ongoing point of discussion. Goyal’s statements underline the importance of understanding how technology and logistics interplay with worker welfare in high-speed delivery systems.

Looking Ahead

Goyal concluded by reaffirming the company’s commitment to improving the platform. While acknowledging that “no system is perfect,” he emphasized that safety, rational operations, and worker autonomy remain central to Blinkit and Zomato’s service model. He encouraged users and observers to engage with riders directly to gain a ground-level understanding of gig work, rather than relying solely on external perceptions.

With New Year deliveries now behind, the focus is shifting back to discussions about fair compensation, safety protocols, and sustainable operational practices for gig workers. Blinkit’s model, according to Goyal, demonstrates that rapid delivery can coexist with rider safety, provided operational design and store network density are effectively leveraged.

As the gig economy continues to expand in India, Goyal’s defense of the 10-minute delivery promise highlights the delicate balance between efficiency, technology, and worker welfare. The ongoing conversation between companies, workers, and regulators will likely shape the future of quick commerce and delivery services in the country.

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