e-commerce
Instamart shifts gears on road safety with QR alerts and free vehicle checks
MUMBAI: When speed meets safety, the road ahead looks a little clearer. To mark National Road Safety Month (1–31, January 2026) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan 2026, Instamart has rolled out a fresh set of on-road safety measures aimed at protecting its delivery partners and improving emergency preparedness.
At the centre of the initiative is a partnership with Vecrep, introducing a two-part programme that combines rapid emergency response with preventive vehicle care. The first pillar is ResQTag, a QR- and NFC-enabled safety solution that allows delivery partners to instantly trigger verified alerts during accidents, breakdowns or roadside emergencies. The system notifies registered emergency contacts without revealing personal phone numbers, prioritising both speed and privacy when seconds matter.
Alongside emergency response, Instamart is offering free safety inspections for delivery partners through Vecrep’s network of verified garages. The inspections provide priority servicing and preventive maintenance support, helping reduce breakdown-related downtime and improving overall rider confidence. The pilot is currently live across Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Greater Noida, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Mohali, Zirakpur, Panchkula, Kharar and Dehradun.
Instamart said the initiative is designed to translate road safety awareness into practical, everyday protection. By pairing real-time emergency tools with on-ground vehicle care, the company aims to strengthen preparedness rather than react only after incidents occur.
The programme builds on the broader Swiggy Delivering Safely charter, a nationwide road safety effort focused on responsible riding and risk reduction. In 2025, Swiggy conducted more than 22 structured road safety training and awareness workshops in collaboration with city traffic police departments, alongside rallies, safety pledges and helmet distribution drives.
These new measures also add to Swiggy’s existing safety protocols, which include an in-app SOS button connecting delivery partners to helplines, local police or hospitals. In 2023, the platform became the first in the delivery sector to introduce free ambulance services for delivery partners.
Today, Swiggy supports over 6.9 lakh delivery partners across India, offering benefits such as accident insurance, medical coverage, income support during recovery from illness or injury, and bereavement leave. With the latest Instamart-led rollout, the company is signalling that faster deliveries do not have to come at the cost of safer roads and that protecting the people behind the wheel remains a priority, not an afterthought.
e-commerce
Flipkart rolls out 105 per cent bonus for 20,000 employees
Strong FY25 performance drives payouts even as layoffs and shifts unfold.
MUMBAI: In a year where belts were tightened and rewards loosened, Flipkart seems to be playing both offence and defence trimming roles on one hand while handing out a generous 105 per cent bonus on the other. The Walmart owned e commerce major has rolled out a 105 per cent bonus payout for 2025, covering nearly 20,000 employees, signalling a year of steady operational momentum even as the company navigates restructuring pressures. The payout, communicated internally by chief human resources officer Seema Nair, is tied to performance across key metrics including growth, operational efficiency, financial outcomes and people indicators, a combination that suggests the company is inching closer to its long stated goal of sustainable profitability.
Employees at SD level and below are set to receive their bonuses in March, while payouts for senior leadership, including vice presidents and senior vice presidents, will follow after the close of the performance cycle. The elevated 105 per cent multiplier stands out in a sector where cautious payouts have increasingly become the norm, pointing to what appears to be a relatively strong internal scorecard for FY25.
Yet, the announcement arrives with a noticeable contrast. Earlier this year, Flipkart reduced its workforce by around 300 roles as part of its annual performance review process. While officially framed as performance driven, the juxtaposition of layoffs alongside above target bonuses reflects a more nuanced balancing act, one that prioritises cost discipline while continuing to reward and retain high performing talent.
This dual approach is becoming increasingly common across the technology and e commerce landscape, where companies are navigating an uneven hiring environment while under pressure to deliver profitability. Rewarding top contributors, even amid selective workforce reductions, allows firms to maintain morale and retain critical talent without losing sight of financial prudence.
At the same time, Flipkart is also undergoing leadership shifts that hint at a broader strategic recalibration. Nishant Verman has been appointed senior vice president for corporate development and partnerships, while group chief financial officer Sriram Venkataraman is set to step down. Ravi Iyer will take on expanded responsibilities within the finance function, marking a reshuffle at the top as the company gears up for its next phase.
These changes come amid reports that Flipkart is planning to shift its holding structure back to India, a move widely interpreted as groundwork for a potential public listing. While timelines remain fluid, the combination of stronger financial discipline, leadership restructuring and employee incentivisation suggests a company preparing itself for greater scrutiny and scale.
For employees, the 105 per cent payout offers a welcome boost in what has otherwise been a period of adjustment. For Flipkart, it is a signal that even as it cuts where necessary, it is willing to spend where it counts. In the high stakes game of growth versus profitability, the company appears to be hedging its bets carefully, rewarding performance while reshaping itself for what could be its most defining chapter yet.
