Racing against time: Quick commerce is pushing delivery riders to the edge, claims study

The next time your groceries or medicines arrive at your doorstep in under 15 minutes, spare a thought for the person who got it there. For India’s growing army of gig delivery workers, the race to meet ultra-fast delivery timelines isn’t just about speed—it’s about navigating stress, safety risks, and shrinking margins, all while keeping up with the demands of quick commerce platforms.

A new report by intra-city delivery service Borzo offers a closer look at what this means on the ground. Based on a survey of 10,900 gig workers across more than 20 cities, the report lays bare how short delivery windows—especially the popular 15-minute format—are impacting the physical and mental well-being of delivery personnel, and what trade-offs they are making to keep up.

India’s gig economy, currently 7.7 million strong, is expected to balloon to over 23 million by 2029-30. While the sector is gradually formalising—with moves like mandatory e-Shram registration and access to health insurance—day-to-day challenges remain, particularly for those working in the delivery segment of quick commerce.

However, the Borzo report reveals that while workers enjoy the flexibility that gig roles offer, the pressures of rapid delivery models often negate these benefits. The growing preference for 10-to-15-minute deliveries, especially in food and grocery services, is bringing forth concerns around worker stress and road safety.

“While quick commerce and ultra-fast deliveries have undoubtedly added convenience for consumers, the growing pressure on the supply chain calls for deeper reflection. As the quick commerce sector continues to expand, it’s essential that platforms prioritise workers,” says Alina Kisina, CEO of Borzo.

15-minute vs 60-minute delivery: Physical and mental toll

According to the report, 34.1% of riders find 15-minute deliveries more physically demanding, while 26.7% say 60-minute deliveries pose a similar challenge. Interestingly, 27.7% feel both are equally demanding, and just 11.5% report no major physical strain from either timeline.

When it comes to stress, the contrast is sharper: 57.3% of riders report feeling stressed during 15-minute deliveries, compared to 42.7% under 60-minute windows. The sense of urgency further compounds this issue—32.3% of gig workers feel rushed during shorter delivery timeframes, while only 19% feel the same with 60-minute orders. Nearly half (48.7%) said they felt no urgency during deliveries.

Safety is a key concern in faster deliveries. As many as 80.6% of riders believe 60-minute timelines promote safer driving, while only 19.4% felt that 15-minute deliveries could be completed safely.

Trade-offs between earnings and efficiency

The shorter 15-minute delivery format is seen as better for volume—47.7% of workers say it allows them to complete more orders per hour. Additionally, 31.3% find the shorter distance between deliveries beneficial, while 11% appreciate handling smaller parcels, and 10% note reduced costs per delivery.

By contrast, 38.4% of riders prefer 60-minute deliveries as it gives them a better chance of being on time. For 30.3%, higher earnings per delivery are the main benefit. Others point to lower physical and mental strain (22.9%) and reduced chances of parcel damage (8.4%).

Still, both formats come with distinct disadvantages. For 60-minute deliveries, the biggest hurdle is traffic congestion, cited by 40.3% of workers. Another 28.9% point to reduced delivery volume per hour, while 22.1% mention high fuel costs. For 15-minute deliveries, 31.8% struggle with the tight timeframe, while 24.4% cite mental and physical stress. Around 24.3% deal with a constant sense of urgency, and 19.5% say they are forced to ride faster than is safe.

Mixed views on public transport

As metro and local train networks expand across cities, nearly half (50.6%) of gig workers say they are open to using public transport for deliveries. The other half prefer to stick to their own vehicles. Among those in favour, 28.8% believe it is more economical than petrol or EV rentals, 26.9% see overall cost savings, and 31.2% associate public transport with a less stressful experience.

However, opinions remain split on whether such a shift would ease road congestion. While 55.7% believe public transport can reduce traffic from delivery bikes, 44.3% see no significant impact.

Profit margins are another area of divide. While 56.5% of riders believe 60-minute deliveries are more profitable in the long run—since they can complete more orders without the urgency—43.5% feel 15-minute deliveries allow them to maximise earnings through higher volume in less time.

One area of near consensus is on route planning: 91.8% of delivery workers say they find it convenient to club multiple deliveries along the same route, which helps manage time and costs effectively.

“Ultimately, it's about finding the right balance between delivering quickly and ensuring riders can perform their jobs safely and efficiently. The industry must listen to their experiences and adapt different approaches to support the riders for their well-being and efficiency,” adds Kisina.

The race to meet customer expectations is clearly on, but the onus now falls on companies and policymakers to ensure that delivery partners are not racing against their own safety and stability.