Ex-Jet Airways CEO Sanjiv Kapoor Questions the Need for 10-Minute Deliveries at Zomato and Blinkit

Former Jet Airways CEO Sanjiv Kapoor has raised questions about the growing trend of 10-minute grocery and food deliveries, directly addressing Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal on the subject. Kapoor’s remarks came after Goyal highlighted record-breaking order volumes for Zomato and Blinkit on New Year’s Eve, despite reported calls for a nationwide strike by sections of gig workers.

Ex-Jet Airways CEO Sanjiv Kapoor Questions the Need for 10-Minute Deliveries at Zomato and Blinkit

Zomato and Blinkit Record Highest-Ever Single-Day Orders

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on January 1, Deepinder Goyal stated that both Zomato and its quick-commerce platform Blinkit achieved their highest single-day delivery volumes on December 31. According to Goyal, operations remained largely uninterrupted, allowing the platforms to serve millions of customers during one of the busiest days of the year.

Goyal noted that over 4.5 lakh delivery partners completed more than 75 lakh orders for approximately 63 lakh customers in a single day. He also mentioned that cooperation from local law enforcement authorities helped manage isolated incidents and ensured smooth operations across cities.

Sanjiv Kapoor Raises Safety and Sustainability Concerns

Responding to Goyal’s post, Sanjiv Kapoor questioned whether ultra-fast 10-minute deliveries are genuinely necessary in India’s congested urban environments. Drawing on his experience as an aviation industry veteran, Kapoor suggested that slightly longer delivery timelines could improve delivery partner safety while still meeting customer expectations.

He argued that 30-minute or one-hour delivery windows might reduce pressure on gig workers without significantly affecting convenience for consumers, except in cases involving medical or urgent needs.

Public Debate on Quick-Commerce Delivery Models

Kapoor’s comments sparked discussion online, with some users defending the quick-commerce model. Several pointed out that many Blinkit and Instamart orders are fulfilled from nearby stores located within 1.5 to 2.5 kilometres, and that delivery partners are not strictly forced to meet a rigid 10-minute deadline.

In response, Kapoor clarified that his comments were not intended as criticism but as a broader question on whether speed should take precedence over safety, sustainability, and environmental considerations. He reiterated the idea of offering flexible delivery slots or pooled deliveries as alternatives that could reduce traffic risks and carbon impact.

Ongoing Industry Conversation on Gig Economy Practices

As of now, Deepinder Goyal has not publicly responded to Kapoor’s questions. The exchange has added to the ongoing industry-wide conversation around gig worker welfare, urban safety, and the long-term sustainability of ultra-fast delivery promises in India’s rapidly expanding quick-commerce sector.

The debate highlights a growing need to balance consumer convenience, worker safety, and operational responsibility as on-demand delivery platforms continue to scale.