Bandh disrupts food delivery services in Ranchi

Ranchi faced major disruptions on Saturday due to a bandh organized by tribal groups. They protested against a planned ramp for the Siramtoli flyover, claiming it would threaten their sacred site, Sarna Sthal. The protest led to road blockades and burning of tires, severely affecting food delivery services in the city. Delivery workers from apps like Zomato and Swiggy reported significant delays and cancellations. Nishant Kumar, a Zomato team leader, said the bandh caused many cancellations and made it hard for workers to navigate blocked roads. He noted that there were plenty of cancellations but did not specify numbers. Hiralal Kumar, a Swiggy delivery person, explained that roadblocks forced them to take longer routes. This not only increased delivery times but also fuel costs. He remarked that their usual workload of 25 orders a day dropped to about half due to the disruptions. Another Swiggy worker, Pawan Kumar, shared that they often had to turn back after reaching blockades, wasting valuable time and impacting their earnings, as they are paid per delivery. Customers also faced challenges. Nisha Rajput, a resident of Pundag, expressed frustration over food delays. She expected her order in 33 minutes but received it nearly an hour later. Such delays can be quite inconvenient for hungry customers relying on delivery apps.