Food ordering and delivery platform Zomato has an initiative to make its rest points in metro cities accessible to its wheelchair-bound delivery partner fleet. Starting with transforming two shelter points, one located in Delhi and the other in Bangalore, into barrier-free spaces for wheelchair-bound delivery partners, it is committed to building inclusiveness across the value chain and fostering a more convenient infrastructure and built environment.

The firm currently has 300 persons with locomotor disabilities as delivery partners in its fleet under its flagship project, Zomato’s Equitable Action for Livelihood (ZEAL). 

Launched earlier this year, these rest points are part of Zomato’s ‘Shelter Project,’ a groundbreaking initiative focused on creating a more supportive gig environment for the last-mile delivery partners of various companies. These well-ventilated spaces are equipped with comfortable seating, charging points, washrooms, high-speed internet, helpdesk, first-aid support, free Wi-Fi, and access to food options. The project's purposeful design offers dedicated spaces for delivery partners to rejuvenate and relax between deliveries, fostering their physical and mental well-being. 

Commenting on the announcement, Anjalli Ravi Kumar, chief sustainability officer at Zomato, said, “We are constantly working towards creating a safe and inclusive working environment for all stakeholders. By making these rest points wheelchairs accessible, we are focused on empowering the last-mile delivery partners with various abilities. We are grateful for our association with Tejasvi Surya and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, who helped revamp the shelter in Bangalore and New Delhi respectively.”