Zomato and Blinkit Hit 7.5 Million Orders on NYE Despite Gig Strike Call

By BharatTone News Desk | January 2, 2026

New Delhi: In a remarkable display of operational resilience, food delivery giant Zomato and its quick-commerce arm Blinkit processed a record-breaking 7.5 million (75 lakh) orders on New Year’s Eve (December 31, 2025), serving over 6.3 million unique customers through more than 450,000 delivery partners. This all-time high came despite a nationwide strike call by gig workers’ unions protesting low pay, unsafe working conditions, and the controversial 10-minute delivery model.

Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal took to social media platform X to announce the milestone, stating that operations remained “unaffected by calls for strikes.” He emphasized that the surge was achieved without any extra incentives beyond the standard higher rates offered on festive days like NYE. “Over 4.5 lakh delivery partners showed up for work despite intimidation,” Goyal posted, thanking local law enforcement for maintaining order and enabling smooth deliveries.

Goyal defended the gig economy model, calling it “one of India’s largest organised job creation engines.” He claimed average monthly earnings for delivery partners stand at around ₹28,000, higher than many entry-level formal jobs, and argued that voluntary participation on such a scale indicates the system is not fundamentally unfair. “If a system were fundamentally unfair, it would not consistently attract and retain so many people,” he added.

Low Strike Participation Enables Record Surge

The nationwide strike, the second in a week after a similar action on Christmas Day, was called by unions including the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT). Workers demanded:

• A minimum monthly pay of ₹40,000
• Comprehensive insurance coverage
• Fair and transparent algorithms
• Ban on the 10-minute delivery promise, citing risks from rushed rides, high fuel costs, and unsafe targets
• Social security benefits and legal recognition as employees

Unions claimed over 1.7 lakh workers initially pledged participation, with protests reported in cities like Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai. However, platforms reported minimal disruptions. Rival Swiggy also logged record orders, including over 2.19 lakh biryanis before 7:30 PM, while Magicpin’s CEO stated there was “no impact” from the strike.

Industry sources revealed that platforms offered peak-hour payouts of ₹120-150 per order and potential daily earnings up to ₹3,000, a standard festive protocol that likely encouraged high turnout among partners.

Debate Over 10-Minute Deliveries Intensifies

Goyal directly addressed criticisms of Blinkit’s 10-minute grocery delivery model, insisting it is “network-driven, not rushed rides.” He explained: Orders are picked and packed in about 2.5 minutes, with riders covering an average distance of under 2 km in 8 minutes—at a safe speed of around 15 kmph. Delivery partners do not see a countdown timer on their apps, and there are no penalties for delays.

Public figures weighed in on the controversy. Comedian Kunal Kamra challenged Goyal to disclose hourly earnings data, offering to “never tweet about gig workers again” if partners earned at least ₹50 per hour. YouTuber Dhruv Rathee echoed calls for transparency on average wages. Goyal responded by promising a “fact sheet” on earnings and reiterating that gig work provides flexible, competitive income.

Critics argue that declining real earnings, arbitrary ID blocks, and lack of benefits force workers to log long hours just to make ends meet. Unions dismissed the record orders as proof that “workers cannot afford to log out,” alleging platforms used police coordination to undermine protests.

Broader Implications for India’s Gig Economy

With over 12.7 million gig workers in India—projected to reach 23.5 million by 2030 per NITI Aayog—the NYE events highlight the growing tensions in the sector. While platforms celebrate consumer convenience and job creation, workers and activists push for regulatory reforms, including contributions to a social security fund.

As India welcomed 2026 with fireworks and feasts—many delivered in minutes—the debate over fair treatment for those enabling the convenience rages on.

BharatTone.com will continue to track developments in gig worker rights and platform responses.s