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
ITC Sunfeast, Zepto host mango-themed experiential ‘Paglu Party’
Event blends Alphonso desserts, DIY sessions and interactive formats
MUMBAI: When mango season peaks, some savour it others go full ‘paglu’. ITC Sunfeast Baked Creations, in collaboration with Zepto, turned summer indulgence into an immersive brand experience with its ‘Mango Paglu Party’, a high-energy, mango-themed event designed to blur the line between dessert and discovery. Built around the brand’s ‘Mad Over Mangoes’ universe, the space leaned into a sensory overload bright, playful and unapologetically mango-drenched. From curated installations to social-first corners, every element was designed to be as shareable as it was experiential.
At the centre of the celebration was the fruit itself, elevated into a menu crafted using fresh, carbide-free Alphonso mangoes sourced by Zepto. The spread ranged from a flaky Mango Pista Kouign Aman to Mango Coconut Serradura Pudding and a Mango Mascarpone Cake, balancing indulgence with seasonal freshness.
But this was not a passive tasting affair. Guests were drawn into the experience through interactive formats, including a DIY dessert session led by the brand’s chef, where attendees created classics like Mango Tres Leches. Zepto chief business officer Chandan Mehndiratta also joined the session, adding a touch of brand personality to the proceedings.
A quirky highlight came in the form of the ‘Aam Paglu Prescription’, a playful, doctor-themed concept that positioned mango indulgence as the only “treatment” worth taking, turning a simple insight into a memorable activation.
The event built up to a theatrical finale, with the crowning of the ‘Aam Paglu of the Day’ followed by the cutting of an oversized mango-shaped Mango Mascarpone Cake, closing the experience on a high note.
More than just a seasonal showcase, the Mango Paglu Party reflects a broader shift in brand storytelling, where products are no longer just consumed, but experienced. For ITC Sunfeast Baked Creations and Zepto, mango season was not just about flavour, it was about creating a moment that audiences could step into, engage with and, quite literally, devour.
