1,000 Rest Stops, 600 Cities, One Goal: How Delhivery's 'Vishram’ Initiative Sets New Standard For Gig Welfare | Exclusive

Logistics firm Delhivery has launched a platform-dedicated rest facility for delivery associates in close to 600 cities and towns, including major hubs and emerging markets. These facilities are known as "vishram". They are spread across cities such as Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Lucknow. The initiative aims to support the well-being of all delivery personnel across the country, irrespective of their platform, parent organisation, or sector, including those working in e-commerce, quick-commerce, food-tech, and traditional courier services. 

In an exclusive conversation with ‘The Daily Jagran’, Prashant Ghazipur, Chief Operating Officer – City Operations, Delhivery, shared insight about the newly launched 'Vishram' initiative. He said that it is a nationwide network of over 1,000 rest facilities across 600 cities designed for delivery riders and gig workers. Ghazipur highlighted the critical role delivery partners play in powering India's digital commerce ecosystem and explained that the initiative aims to provide riders with access to clean washrooms, drinking water, climate-controlled rest areas, charging points, and first-aid facilities.

A key aspect of the initiative is that it is platform-agnostic, allowing riders from any logistics, e-commerce, or quick-commerce company to access the facilities. During the discussion, Prashant also spoke about Delhivery's long-standing focus on rider welfare, including insurance coverage and competitive pay, and emphasised the growing importance of the gig economy in driving India's digital and economic growth.

Below are excerpts from the interaction... 

Q: What is the Vishram initiative, and why did Delhivery launch it?

Prashant Ghazipur: Vishram is India's largest nationwide network of over 1,000 dedicated rest facilities spread across 600 cities. The initiative was launched to support delivery riders who work in challenging weather conditions and play a critical role in enabling India's digital commerce ecosystem. The aim is to provide them with a safe and comfortable space to rest, recharge and refresh during their workday. 

Q: What facilities are available at Vishram centres?

Prashant Ghazipur: The facilities offer clean washrooms, climate-controlled seating areas, purified drinking water, fans and coolers, mobile charging points and first-aid kits. Riders can take a short break, hydrate themselves and recharge before continuing their deliveries. 

Q: Who can access these facilities?

Prashant Ghazipur: Vishram is an open-access, platform-agnostic initiative. Any delivery rider, regardless of whether they work with Delhivery, Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, Amazon, Shadowfax, eKart or any other company, can access the facilities after a simple verification process. 

Q: Why is the industry focusing more on gig-worker welfare now?

Prashant Ghazipur: Delhivery has always prioritised rider welfare through fair compensation, insurance coverage and infrastructure support. As the delivery workforce and gig economy have expanded significantly in recent years, the company felt it was important to extend support beyond its own workforce and contribute to the wider rider community. 

Q: How does Delhivery support its own delivery partners?

Prashant Ghazipur: Delhivery provides insurance and healthcare benefits to its delivery workforce from day one. Riders are covered under accidental insurance and medical insurance, ensuring support in case of emergencies or unforeseen incidents. 

Q: How do you respond to criticism that gig work creates low-cost labour?

Prashant Ghazipur: The gig economy has become a backbone of India's digital economy. Riders are paid competitive wages and have the flexibility to work across platforms. In highly competitive markets, companies must offer attractive earning opportunities to retain workers. The sector has also created significant employment and enabled the growth of industries such as e-commerce and quick commerce. 

Q: What role does the gig economy play in India's growth?

Prashant Ghazipur: The gig economy has enabled new business models and created large-scale employment opportunities. It supports the growth of digital commerce and quick commerce, contributes to economic activity and will continue to play an important role in India's future growth and job creation. 

Q: Are there more rider-focused announcements expected from Delhivery?

Prashant Ghazipur: Yes. Delhivery indicated that additional initiatives focused on rider welfare and the broader gig-worker community would be announced as part of the company's upcoming 15th anniversary celebrations.