Hyderabad: The rapid growth of quick commerce warehouses in the city is causing problems in residential areas, mainly because of poor vehicle parking. Over 150 delivery workers visit these warehouses regularly, leading to traffic jams in neighborhoods and on narrow streets. These workers often ignore traffic rules, driving the wrong way, jumping signals, and speeding to deliver parcels on time.
The quick commerce industry, which includes companies like Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, and Zomato, is expanding in residential neighborhoods. This trend is worrying residents because of the traffic and parking problems caused by the delivery agents. Many residents are upset about the constant presence of delivery workers and the chaotic parking in their communities.
According to the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU), each warehouse employs between 150 and 200 workers. These warehouses are located in areas with a high number of customer orders to ensure fast deliveries. However, this has led to traffic issues in several residential areas like Uppal, L B Nagar, Malakpet, Jubilee Hills, and Hitech City. Residents, like K Venkatesh from Uppal, complain about the parking problems and the dangerous driving habits of delivery workers.
Shaik Salauddin, the President of TGPWU, stressed that companies should provide enough parking when they set up warehouses. He also mentioned that despite repeated requests to extend the delivery time limits, no action has been taken. Delivery workers are forced to park their bikes hastily and drive recklessly to meet the 10-minute delivery deadlines set by companies.
Because of the tight delivery schedules, delivery workers often drive rashly, trying to beat the traffic. App-based delivery companies have received multiple traffic fines due to these issues. Salauddin pointed out that the 10-minute delivery window pushes workers to break traffic rules, such as driving on the wrong side, jumping signals, and speeding.
Salauddin further explained that the pressure to complete deliveries quickly makes workers take risks, which increases the chances of accidents. He called for solutions that include fair pay systems that don’t encourage risky behavior, better support for delivery workers, and strict enforcement of traffic rules. He also urged the government to address the issue of short delivery windows, which lead workers to take dangerous risks.
