Quick commerce apps like Blinkit, Instamart, and Zepto have changed how we shop, making it super easy to get groceries and essentials delivered in just minutes. But behind this fast service, the workers making it happen are dealing with some tough conditions. A part-time Blinkit worker recently shared on Reddit what it’s really like to work under the pressure of 10-minute deliveries in India.
The worker said, “Everyone loves getting their stuff in 10 minutes, but most people don’t see the crazy pressure on us behind the scenes. It’s honestly scary.” Balancing studies with his job picking and packing orders, he described how stressful and unsafe the work can be.
These warehouses, called dark stores, are small and packed with shelves. Workers have to rush through tight spaces and sharp corners, often running to meet strict timers called PPI (per picking item). If finding an item takes too long, even a few seconds, managers tell them to log off and go home. “The pressure from supervisors is nonstop and intense,” he said.
He also talked about accidents happening frequently, like one time he bumped into a coworker and broke his phone. Full-time workers have it even harder, unloading multiple big trucks daily and stocking cold rooms. The job is tough mentally and physically, with no room for mistakes. Workers face the risk of being fired for small delays, while earning wages that don’t match the stress and dangers. “All this just so someone can get a Coke or Maggi in 10 minutes?” he wondered. “If deliveries took 15 or 20 minutes instead, would it really be a problem? It feels like the system is pushing workers too hard just to be fast.”
His post caught a lot of attention online. Many people were shocked by what they read and said they’d be okay waiting longer if it meant better treatment for workers. Some called the 10-minute delivery promise a marketing trick that puts convenience ahead of people’s well-being.
One user said, “I’d happily wait an hour if it meant less pressure on the workers. Planning deliveries better isn’t that hard, and this culture of instant everything isn’t good for us.” Another wrote, “This 10-minute rush is just exploiting India’s labour force and society’s impatience.” A third added, “I don’t care if my order takes longer. I want the delivery person to be safe, not stressed and risking accidents. If I really need something fast, I can just run to the shop. These workers deserve better.”
