Concerns over rapid delivery models have resurfaced after a 25-year-old delivery partner lost control of his two-wheeler and was killed when a private bus ran over him. The incident, which took place on January 5 at 5:15 PM on the busy Tolichowki–Mehdipatnam road near Mehdipatnam in Hyderabad, was also captured on a CCTV camera.
According to police, the victim, identified as Abhishek, was riding a two-wheeler when he lost control of the vehicle and fell onto the road. He was employed as a delivery partner with the quick-commerce platform Zepto.
Moments after the fall, a private travel bus approaching from behind ran over him, leaving him severely injured, and he died on the spot, officials said.
CCTV footage of the incident shows the young man falling from his bike and lying on the road before the bus passes over him, as bystanders look on in horror.
Following the accident, the body was shifted to Osmania General Hospital for post-mortem examination, and Mehdipatnam police have taken the bus driver into custody and registered a case in connection with the incident.
An investigation is underway to determine the exact sequence of events and assign responsibility.
The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union (TGPWU) Reacts
The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union (TGPWU) has strongly criticised the reckless hyper-fast delivery models of companies such as Zepto and Zomato, following the death of one delivery worker and the critical injury of another in Hyderabad.
In a critique, TGPWU Founder President Shaik Salauddin posed a direct question to platform CEOs and policymakers, “10-minute food & grocery deliveries start on time. Rs 100-crore speed projects start on time. But when a worker crashes on the road, insurance and compensation never start on time. Why?"
The union blamed compromised worker safety on the high-pressure environment created by “10-minute delivery" targets. The statement emphasised, “Boardroom promises ≠ ground reality. Workers are not algorithms," and called for the removal of these “deadly" targets.
The TGPWU has requested immediate intervention from Shri Vivek Venkatswamy, Telangana’s Minister for Labour, Employment, Training, and Factories.
