Ex-Jet Airways CEO questions need for 10-minute deliveries after Zomato’s New Year claims. See viral post

The discussion unfolded against the backdrop of a nationwide protest by gig workers associated with food delivery and quick-commerce platforms.

Former Jet Airways chief executive Sanjiv Kapoor publicly questioned the necessity of ultra-fast grocery deliveries after Zomato founder and chief executive Deepinder Goyal stated that Zomato and its quick-commerce arm Blinkit had recorded their highest single-day order volumes on New Year’s Eve.

Goyal had said that operations remained largely uninterrupted despite calls for a nationwide strike by gig workers, who had been protesting against low earnings, unsafe working conditions and the pressure created by ultra-short delivery timelines.

Blinkit, owned by Zomato, was among the earliest platforms in India to introduce a 10-minute delivery promise and has emerged as a key player in the rapid-commerce segment, alongside Swiggy Instamart and Zepto. The model has, however, drawn criticism from sections of the delivery workforce, with workers demanding an end to 10-minute commitments and calling for improved pay structures and safer conditions.

Reacting to Goyal’s post on social media, Kapoor raised questions about whether such delivery speeds were genuinely required in Indian cities.

“Deepinder, what I am really curious about is do we really need 10 minute deliveries in our chaotic urban conditions unless for medical emergencies?” Kapoor wrote. “Would 30 minutes or 1 hour delivery (without so much pressure and need for speed) be the end of the world?”

Deepinder, what I am really curious about is do we really need 10 minute deliveries in our chaotic urban conditions unless for medical emergencies? Would 30 minutes or 1 hour delivery (without so much pressure and need for speed) be the end of the world? @deepigoyalhttps://t.co/5Y9RgxjpqJ

— Sanjiv Kapoor (@TheSanjivKapoor) January 1, 2026

Goyal did not immediately respond to Kapoor’s remarks. Kapoor’s comments, however, prompted mixed reactions online, with several users pushing back against his assessment.

One social media user argued that the delivery timelines were misunderstood. “Mr Kapoor you need to read up the model before outraging. 1. When I order, Blinkit store is 1.8km away & Instamart store is 1.5km away. 2. If a store is too busy, my order is processed from a store that is 2.4kms away. 10mins ain't enforced. Hope it helps,” the user wrote.

Kapoor replied by clarifying that his comments were not driven by outrage but by concern. He reiterated his position, again questioning the broader need for 10-minute deliveries outside emergency scenarios.

“Is 10 min delivery (except for emergencies) really required?” he asked. “Would it not be better to balance safety and environmental risks (pooled deliveries, fewer individual trips) by making it 30 min, or offering choice of delivery slots?”

As the exchange gained attention, several other users weighed in on the debate. One commenter added, "Why not?

Do we really need alcohol, supermarkets, e-commerce? What you need isn’t what everyone else needs, the market decides that. Nowhere else in the world you can see this complex hyperlocal logistics work so perfectly. It has it’s vices but it is special."

A user remarked, "This industry thrives off people desperate for cash because there are no decent jobs to be found. The digital era equivalent of coal miners & sweatshop workers."

The discussion unfolded against the backdrop of a nationwide protest by gig workers associated with food delivery and quick-commerce platforms. Among their demands were higher payouts, improved working conditions and access to social security benefits. The pressure created by rapid delivery expectations featured prominently in their criticism.

Goyal had earlier defended the 10-minute model, stating that it was made possible by the increasing density of dark stores rather than by requiring delivery partners to ride at unsafe speeds.

In a series of posts, Goyal explained that delivery partners were given sufficient time to complete orders safely. “After you place your order on Blinkit, it is picked and packed within 2.5 minutes. And then the rider drives an average of under 2kms in about 8 minutes. That's an average of 15kmph,” he said.

He further stated that delivery partners were not monitored against a countdown clock and did not face penalties for delays. “Delivery partners don’t even have a timer on their app to indicate what was the original time promised to the customer,” Goyal said.