New Delhi:
National Road Safety Month usually brings posters, hashtags and polite reminders. This year, Zomato decided to do something a little more… practical. The food delivery giant has rolled out a multi-city road safety initiative for its delivery partners, combining mandatory responsible driving training with the distribution of over 2,000 BIS-certified helmets—because safety works better when it’s worn, not just spoken about.
Moving beyond awareness campaigns, the initiative focuses on hands-on, on-ground action, with structured training sessions led by traffic police and certified professionals. The first phase kicked off in Delhi in collaboration with the Delhi Traffic Police, complete with a bike rally aimed at promoting responsible riding—proving that road safety messages don’t always need a siren to be heard.
Commenting on the initiative, Aditya Mangla, CEO, Zomato, said, “Delivery partners are the backbone of our business, and their safety and wellbeing is and continues to be a top priority. Through this initiative, we aim to empower delivery partners with the knowledge and practical skills around road safety, enabling them to make better decisions and respond effectively in critical situations.”
Training That Goes Beyond the Rulebook
As part of the programme, delivery partners undergo 90–120 minutes of professional, traffic police-led training covering responsible riding in high-density urban traffic, maintaining safe following distances, and anticipating road risks. A key module focuses on the ‘Golden Hour’ protocol—the crucial first hour after an accident when timely first aid and support can significantly improve survival chances.
Participants are trained in basic first aid and emergency response, enabling them to help themselves or others during emergencies. In cities including Chandigarh, Bengaluru, Chennai and Pune, sessions are being conducted at Traffic Training Parks, where real-world road hazards are simulated in a controlled environment—minus the real-world panic.
The programme also dives into helmet science: maintenance tips, the importance of BIS-certified chin straps, helmet lifespan, and why traffic rules and penalties exist for a reason (hint: not to ruin anyone’s day).
Safety, Before Every Shift
Reinforcing its commitment, Zomato has made safety briefings mandatory before delivery partners begin work each day, with strong emphasis on helmet usage, road discipline and responsible riding. Every shift now starts with a safety pledge, reminding partners of their responsibility towards themselves and everyone else sharing the road.
On the tech side, delivery partners receive real-time weather alerts, precautionary notifications via the Zomato delivery partner app, and access to a 24×7 in-app SOS feature for rapid ambulance support. All delivery partners are also covered under comprehensive insurance, ensuring support when it matters most.
In a country where roads can be unpredictable and time is always ticking, Zomato’s initiative sends a clear message: delivering food fast is important—but delivering people home safe matters more.
