Zomato CEO breaks silence on delivery earnings, warns about dangers of 10-minute delivery
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Delivery partners, running on roads across the country wearing red and yellow T-shirts, have become an integral part of our daily lives. But the question often arises on social media and in general discussions: are their lives being put at risk in the pursuit of 10-minute deliveries, and are they getting paid fairly for their hard work? Amidst all these questions and debates, Deepinder Goyal, CEO of Zomato and Blinkit, has now come forward and provided the answer, revealing the full details of everything from earnings to safety.
According to data shared by Deepinder Goyal, delivery partners' earnings appear to be better than many entry-level office jobs. The average hourly earnings (EPH) of Zomato partners in 2025 is estimated to be ₹102, an increase of approximately 11% compared to the previous year. Goyal presented an estimated earnings projection, stating that if a partner works 26 days a month and logs in for 10 hours daily, their total monthly earnings could be around ₹26,500. Even after subtracting 20% of the cost of petrol and bike maintenance, the net income comes to around ₹21,000, a respectable amount for entry-level jobs.
The CEO also made some interesting revelations about working hours and tips. He explained that the work is flexible, and most people work part-time, not full-time. According to data, the average partner worked only 38 days a year, and only 2.3% worked more than 250 days. Regarding tips, Goyal clarified that riders receive 100% of the tip, but Indian customers are a bit frugal. Tips are only 2.5% on Blinkit and 5% on Zomato, resulting in a rider earning only ₹2.6 per hour from tips.
The company also addressed the biggest controversy, the issue of "10-minute delivery" and safety. Dismissing the pressure on riders to drive faster due to the 10-minute delivery, Goyal explained that delivery times are determined not by vehicle speed, but by store location and logistics. The average delivery distance on Blinkit is just 2.03 kilometers, which takes 8 minutes. Riders average a speed of 16 kilometers per hour, which is quite safe considering city traffic. Furthermore, the company has spent over ₹100 crore on partner safety, including accident insurance of ₹10 lakh, medical coverage, and compensation for lost earnings in case of injury during delivery.