NEW DELHI: As India gears up for the festive season - when delivery partners crisscross cities to ensure gifts and essentials reach households on time - Amazon India has expanded its Project Ashray with a thoughtful boost. In collaboration with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), the company today launched 40 new Ashray Centers across the country, offering delivery partners a much-needed place to rest and recharge.
The newest facility in Delhi’s Rohini was inaugurated by Yogender Chandolia, Hon’ble Member of Parliament from Delhi’s North West Constituency, in the presence of Muralikrishna V Vadrevu, Executive Director, Non-Fuel Business, HPCL; Salim Memon, Director, Amazon Operations, India; and Ashleigh de la Torre, VP of Amazon U.S. Transportation, Sustainability, and Kuiper Public Policy. With this expansion, Amazon now operates 65 Ashray Centers in 13 cities, with 24 of them in the Delhi NCR region. The company is moving closer to its goal of setting up 100 such centers nationwide by the end of 2025.
Designed as dedicated rest stops, Ashray Centers provide delivery partners with air-conditioned seating, clean drinking water, mobile charging points, washrooms, first-aid kits, and more - all free of cost. Importantly, these facilities are open to all delivery partners in India’s ecommerce ecosystem, not just those delivering for Amazon. Since their launch in Q3 2024, the centers have seen a 70% increase in usage, underscoring their growing importance.
“Project Ashray is precisely what India’s rapidly expanding gig economy requires, and I commend Amazon for their foresight,” said Yogender Chandolia. “As our nation strengthens its digital commerce infrastructure, these centers provide essential support to delivery professionals who connect our businesses with millions of households daily. The government stands firmly behind such innovative initiatives that enhance worker welfare while advancing India’s economic growth agenda.”
Echoing the sentiment, Salim Memon, Director, Amazon Operations, India, said, “The wellbeing of our delivery partners remains our first and foremost priority at Amazon. These Ashray centers address the everyday challenges delivery partners face while navigating bustling traffic and extreme weather conditions. By opening these facilities to all delivery personnel regardless of what company they deliver for, we are reinforcing our commitment to the welfare of delivery associates. Our collaboration with HPCL enables us to rapidly expand this network and support the frontline workers who power India’s digital economy.”
Adding HPCL’s perspective, Muralikrishna V Vadrevu, Executive Director, HPCL, remarked, “By reimagining our fuel stations with Amazon, we’re creating essential havens for delivery partners across India. The initiative will provide delivery partners moments of respite during demanding days. These Ashray centers reflect our commitment to supporting India’s gig economy workforce with dignity while recognizing the humanity behind every package delivered to Indian doorsteps.”
BI Bureau
