- Blinkit service is down for several users across Delhi-NCR.
- This is due to the protests by delivery partners over the new payment structure.
- As per delivery partners, the new payment structure will hamper their per-order profits.
If you’re wondering why you’re unable to use Blinkit the way you usually do in Delhi-NCR, that’s because approximately 50 stores of Zomato’s grocery delivery unit have shut owing to a recent protest by delivery partners demanding better wages. According to Reuters, Zomato has introduced a new compensation structure for its riders based on their effort and is in talks with them to reopen closed stores, as per an email statement from the company.
Why Blinkit is unable to deliver groceries to you?
Several reports have stated that instead of receiving Rs 25 for each delivery, delivery partners will now be paid a minimum of Rs 15. To protest against the payment structure, hundreds of Blinkit bike riders, who claim that this new change might hamper their per-order profits, were seen on social media videos chanting and holding signs.
Initially, upon checkout, the Blinkit app was showing an error message “temporarily unavailable” in several parts of Delhi-NCR. However, now, while checking out, the following message is displayed, “The store got a lot of orders and does not have enough people to service right now. Please come back later.”
Meanwhile, about 50 of Blinkit’s 400 locations in India, largely in and around New Delhi, closed last week, the report said.
Blinkit down: here’s what Twitterati have to say
Taking to Twitter, several users have complained about no delivery or late deliveries. A Twitter user warned Blinkit they cannot demand that the customer pay the delivery fee and still receive a late delivery. Meanwhile, another user said he is ready to pay higher delivery charges for quick delivery.
A user wrote that Blinkit was working perfectly fine before it was acquired by Zomato. For those unaware, Zomato acquired the quick-commerce company for Rs 4,447 crore in an all-stock deal last year. Blinkit’s competitors include Swiggy Instamart, Zepto, and BB Now, among others, whose operations are on as usual.
