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Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said the food delivery economy is very important for India as it generates largescale employment.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari (PTI photo)
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday underscored the vital role of India’s food delivery economy in driving large-scale employment opportunities.
Speaking at Zomato’s ‘Sustainability and Inclusivity: Role of the Platform Economy’ conference, the Road Transport and Highways Minister noted that India currently has 77 lakh delivery workers, a number projected to rise to 2.5 crore by 2030.
“Creating jobs for 2.5 crore youth is a major achievement for our country. Job creation remains our highest priority,” Gadkari emphasised.
Role in Employment Generation
Gadkari applauded the online food delivery platform Zomato for its efforts in providing job opportunities to unemployed youth across the country. He described this as a critical contribution toward addressing unemployment challenges.
Road Safety Concerns for Delivery Workers
While praising the employment opportunities, Gadkari expressed concerns over road safety issues faced by delivery workers. He noted that the urgency of time-bound deliveries increases their risk of accidents.
“India witnesses 45 road accidents and 20 deaths every hour, with most victims aged 18 to 45 years,” the minister said. He added that two-wheeler accidents alone account for 80,000 deaths annually, with 55,000 fatalities caused by the non-usage of helmets.
Additionally, Gadkari highlighted that 10,000 deaths occur every year due to driving on the wrong side.
Emphasis on Training and Safety Measures
Gadkari stressed that road accidents can be significantly reduced through proper safety training. He congratulated Zomato for training 50,000 drivers, calling it a commendable step toward improving road safety standards.
“Such initiatives can play a key role in saving lives and making roads safer for all,” he added.
(With PTI inputs)
