Over the past decade, India has seen a huge food delivery boom, radically altering the way urban consumers eat. One-click restaurant meal ordering through platforms such as Zomato and Swiggy became possible. This is the result of increasing smartphone penetration, increased internet access, and the desire for convenience among students and working professionals. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the trend as individuals began to use doorstep delivery for comfort and security. It is a luxury that has now become a part of current urban lifestyles.
But as the business grew, fissures started to show in the relationship between the companies and their delivery partners. While sometimes it is the delivery partner’s fault, sometimes it’s the company that is accused of exploiting poor delivery partners. A recent incident is a case in point. Recently, it happened with one Zomato delivery partner who complained about getting Rs 10 per kilometer. Now, the company has reacted to the accusations.
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The Zomato delivery partner complained about getting inadequate compensation
Recently, a Zomato delivery partner named Vikas Tandiya has ignited debate regarding rider pay and working conditions on X, previously known as Twitter. In his post, he raises the question of how low per-kilometer pay riders earn after putting in long hours and physical labor. In his post, he wrote,
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Deependra ji kya aap 10 rs. Per km bhi nahi de sakte riders ko jo din raat mehnat krte hain..real time pe aap ground level me utro tab pata chalega,chh reel banane ke liye 2-4 order deliver karne se kuchh ni hota. @zomato @deepigoyal
He also tagged both Zomato’s official Twitter handle and CEO Deepinder Goyal, requesting them to experience the true working conditions of delivery riders rather than relying solely on promotional videos.
Have a look at the original tweet:
Deependra ji kya aap 10 rs. Per km bhi nahi de sakte riders ko jo din raat mehnat krte hain..real time pe aap ground level me utro tab pata chalega,chh reel banane ke liye 2-4 order deliver karne se kuchh ni hota. @zomato @deepigoyal pic.twitter.com/OF45MY4f6v
— Vikas Tandiya (@VikasTandi77616) October 14, 2025
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How did Zomato react to the allegations?
Upon seeing the tweet, Zomato reacted to it and told Vikas they understood his problem. The company asked him about a few more details related to his problems. In their reply, Zomato wrote,
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Hey Vikas, hum aapki pareshani samajhte hain. Please humein DM par apni FE ID share karein taaki hum aapke concern ko check karke aapki madad kar sakein.
Hey Vikas, hum aapki pareshani samajhte hain. Please humein DM par apni FE ID share karein taaki hum aapke concern ko check karke aapki madad kar sakein. https://t.co/jcTFuGSv2G
— Zomato Care (@zomatocare) October 14, 2025
It’s not the first time that Zomato has come under fire from its own delivery partner fleet. In recent years, several riders have complained on social media, listing inconsistent incomes, lowered bonuses, and the rising cost of fuel among the biggest problems. For many, things have deteriorated after the companies restructured their incentive plans.
Previously, delivery partners had the assurance of surge pricing, peak-hour bonuses, and guaranteed payouts for each order. But since platforms have implemented algorithm-driven dynamic payments, riders claim their per-order and per-kilometer wages have decreased immensely.
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Tandiya’s tweet, although not going viral, must have struck a chord with many people who had similar experiences or were empathetic towards delivery personnel. As Zomato’s official reply to this specific grievance is pending, the bigger issue that the rider brings up is a rising need for fairness, honesty, and compassion in this new-age workforce.
What do you think about this? Do share your thoughts with us in the comment section of this article.
