Amazon India is expanding its Project Ashray to Bengaluru. Under this initiative, the first rest centre was inaugurated in August, in Gurugram, in collaboration with the Udayasa Foundation. Now, two rest points are being launched in Bengaluru, in Electronic City and Cox Town. These rest points or centres will allow associates to relax, hydrate and recharge in a safe environment while taking breaks from deliveries.
Karuna Shankar Pande, vice president, Amazon Logistics, India, believes that this “is a crucial step in our mission to enhance the experience and well-being of delivery associates across the logistics ecosystem. By providing dedicated rest points equipped with essential amenities, we aim to create a comfortable environment for all delivery associates.”
These rest points will also foster “a sense of community and ensure they have access to the support they need on the road.”
G Manjunath, additional labour commissioner, Department of Labour, Government of Karnataka, encourages “other stakeholders to follow suit in providing essential support to delivery associates, fostering a culture of support and responsibility throughout the industry.”
Each centre, equipped with parking spaces, can accommodate up to 12 people at a time and will be operational from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The facility can be used free of cost for 30 minutes by any delivery associate. These centres will cater to delivery associates of other companies too, benefitting the larger community. The locations of these facilities will be introduced to Google Maps so that they can be easily accessed. Comfortable seating, access to clean drinking water, and mobile charging stations will be available to associates.
Amazon India is looking to explore the public-private partnership (PPP) model to develop additional resting facilities under Project Ashray. These facilities will offer guarded restrooms for women drivers, shade for protection against the elements, drinking water, mobile charging stations, internet connectivity, first-aid support, and subsidised electric two-wheeler charging.
As part of Amazon’s efforts to create a supportive and mindful workplace and ecosystem for delivery associations, recently Amazon introduced initiatives such as an ambulance service for them and a six-month health and wellness programme. Additionally, the ‘Sushruta’ programme focuses on the health and well-being of truck drivers, while the ‘Pratidhi’ Scholarship supports the education of delivery associates’ children.
