“Creating Jobs for 2.5 Cr Youth Is Major Achievement,” Nitin Gadkari Praises India's Food Delivery Industry

At a recent conference hosted by Zomato, the Road Transport and Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari praised the online food delivery platform for offering employment to 77 lakh delivery workers, a number expected to surge to 2.5 crore by 2030.

“Creating jobs for 2.5 crore youth is a major achievement for our country. Job creation remains our highest priority," Gadkari said.

According to Gadkari, India’s food delivery industry would boost the economy and address the country's unemployment challenges.

Concerns Over Road Safety

Speaking at Zomato’s ‘Sustainability and Inclusivity: Role of the Platform Economy’ conference, while lauding the employment opportunities generated by the food delivery sector, Gadkari also expressed apprehensions regarding the safety of delivery partners on the roads. The urgency to meet time-bound deliveries often exposes these workers to the risk of accidents. The minister pointed out that India witnesses an alarming rate of road accidents, with 45 occurring every hour and 20 resulting in fatalities, mostly involving individuals aged 18 to 45.

“India witnesses 45 road accidents and 20 deaths every hour, with most victims aged 18 to 45 years," he said. The Minister added that two-wheeler accidents alone account for 80,000 deaths per year with 55,000 fatality cases because of the non-usage of helmets.

Addressing Safety Concerns

Gadkari spoke about the prevalent issue of two-wheeler accidents amounting to 80,000 deaths annually, with 55,000 fatalities attributed to the non-usage of helmets. Furthermore, the minister brought attention to the alarming number of deaths caused by driving on the wrong side of the road, amounting to 10,000 fatalities each year. To combat these alarming statistics, Gadkari stressed the importance of providing proper safety training to delivery workers.

Recognizing Efforts in Road Safety Training

In this regard, Gadkari commended Zomato for its initiative to train 50,000 drivers in road safety measures. This acts as a significant step toward enhancing road safety standards and reducing the number of accidents involving delivery workers.

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