By Laxmi/Substack
Mumbai, January 1- Ten years ago today, on December 31, 2015, I snapped a photo on the streets of Colaba, Mumbai: a Domino’s delivery rider wearing a bright red helmet, carrying two large blue insulated boxes boldly labelled “Yehi Hai Right On Time” (“This is being right on time). The old MH licence plate, Colaba street signs, YashDar Travels board, and Hindi signage in the background — everything captured the flavour of Mumbai back then: bustling, crowded, a little chaotic, but brimming with life.
The rider looked focused and hurried, ready to weave through a red light. At the time, Domino’s was the undisputed king of food delivery in Mumbai. The industry was still in its infancy. Zomato was mainly a restaurant discovery platform — I loved scrolling through it for the tempting menus of countless eateries — but actually ordering delivery? Not so reliable. Riders often got lost, many came from rural areas and didn’t speak English, and waiting 1-2 hours was normal. I frequently ended up starving and dizzy. I only trusted Domino’s because of their countdown timer (that classic “time funnel”), standardised training, and in-house logistics that usually got it right. For anything else, I preferred calling the restaurant directly, explaining the address clearly, so I could argue with the owner if something went wrong — talking to the rider was simply too difficult.
On New Year’s Eve, Colaba’s iconic spots were all about eating in: long queues at Bademiya for kebabs, packed tables at Café Mondegar with its famous Mario Miranda cartoon murals and jukebox, and lively drinking sessions at Gokul Bar. Back then, these places were strictly dine-in; the experience was everything.
Fast-forward to tonight, December 31, 2025. Quick commerce has completely transformed the city. Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart promise 10-minute delivery for everything from groceries to try-on fashion, and even Bademiya’s signature kebabs are now available on Swiggy and Zomato. Yet two Colaba institutions have held firm against the trend:
Bademiya: fully embraced delivery — their kebabs now reach doorsteps in minutes.
Café Mondegar: no delivery, no takeaway — they insist you come in to soak up Mario Miranda’s whimsical murals, the vintage jukebox, and the unique Irani café vibe.
Gokul Bar (Colaba): the same — a classic permit room for on-site beer and conversation only.
Tonight, tens of thousands of gig delivery riders across India are on strike, affecting platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit, Zepto, Amazon, and Flipkart. Unions are demanding an end to mandatory 10-minute deliveries, better transparent pay, and full insurance and social security. Riders say the model forces them to race through traffic, climb 10-14 flights of stairs (many buildings still ban them from main elevators), struggle to enter gated communities, and face penalties from algorithms for any delay. Safety risks are high, and after fuel and maintenance costs, take-home pay is painfully low. A full 86% of riders oppose it, calling it inhumane.
Interestingly, many customers are increasingly sympathetic. A growing number say they wouldn’t mind if deliveries took 15 or 30 minutes — convenience is nice, but not at the cost of riders’ safety and dignity. Elevator discrimination, gate access issues, and traffic in the rain are pains everyone understands. Public sentiment has shifted toward supporting the strike: “Our 10 minutes shouldn’t come at the price of their lives,” “Don’t rush the rider, leave a tip,” “30 minutes is fine.”
From 2015’s “wait 2 hours and only trust Domino’s” to 2025’s “10-minute Bademiya kebabs, but riders on strike,” delivery has sped up dramatically, yet the struggles of the workers at the bottom remain — and have grown more visible. Here’s hoping 2026 brings a better balance between convenience and fairness. These delivery riders are the true invisible heroes of the city.
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