Instamart Launches Emergency Road Safety Program

In alignment with National Road Safety Month (January 1–31, 2026) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan (SSA) 2026, Instamart, India's leading quick commerce platform, has unveiled groundbreaking safety initiatives specifically designed to protect delivery partners on the road. This comprehensive safety program represents a significant milestone in the quick commerce industry's commitment to workforce protection and emergency preparedness.

The timing of this initiative coincides with India's national focus on road safety, demonstrating Instamart's alignment with government priorities while addressing the unique challenges faced by delivery partners who navigate India's roads daily. As the backbone of the quick commerce ecosystem, these delivery professionals require robust safety infrastructure that responds effectively during critical emergencies while preventing incidents through proactive maintenance.

Strategic Partnership with VecRep

Recognizing that delivery partner safety requires innovative technological solutions, Instamart has forged a strategic partnership with VecRep, a leading safety technology provider. This collaboration introduces a dual-approach safety framework combining emergency response capabilities with preventive vehicle maintenance, creating a comprehensive safety net for delivery partners across multiple cities.

ResQTag: Revolutionary Emergency Response System

At the core of Instamart's safety enhancement program lies ResQTag, a cutting-edge safety tool powered by VecRep that leverages both QR code and NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. This sophisticated system transforms emergency response for delivery partners by enabling instant, verified alerts during critical situations including accidents, vehicle breakdowns, or roadside emergencies.

How ResQTag Technology Works

ResQTag operates through a simple yet powerful mechanism that prioritizes both speed and privacy. When a delivery partner encounters an emergency, the system instantly notifies pre-registered emergency contacts without exposing personal phone numbers. This privacy-protecting feature addresses a crucial concern while ensuring that help arrives quickly when every second counts.

The dual QR-NFC capability ensures maximum accessibility – anyone with a smartphone can scan the QR code to trigger the emergency protocol, while NFC provides additional convenience for compatible devices. This redundancy ensures that help is always accessible regardless of the technology available at the scene.

Privacy-First Emergency Communication

Unlike traditional emergency systems that may compromise personal information, ResQTag maintains strict privacy protocols. Emergency contacts receive immediate notifications about the delivery partner's situation and location without gaining access to personal contact details. This thoughtful design recognizes that delivery partners need protection without sacrificing their privacy in vulnerable moments.

Free Vehicle Inspections Across Major Cities

Beyond emergency response, Instamart demonstrates its commitment to preventive safety through complimentary vehicle inspections for delivery partners. Through VecRep's extensive network of verified garages, delivery partners gain access to priority servicing and preventive maintenance support, significantly reducing breakdown-related downtime and enhancing overall road safety.

Pilot Program Geographic Coverage

The initiative currently operates across thirteen strategically selected cities in North India, including Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Greater Noida, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Mohali, Zirakpur, Panchkula, Kharar, and Dehradun. This geographic distribution ensures coverage across major metropolitan areas and their surrounding regions, benefiting thousands of delivery partners.

Preventive Maintenance Benefits

Regular vehicle inspections serve multiple purposes: identifying potential mechanical issues before they cause breakdowns, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and extending vehicle lifespan. For delivery partners whose livelihoods depend on vehicle reliability, these preventive services translate directly into improved income stability and reduced emergency expenses.

Leadership Commitment to Delivery Partner Welfare

Ankit Jain, Chief Operating Officer at Instamart, emphasized the company's unwavering dedication: "Our delivery partners are the backbone of everything we do, and their safety will always be a priority. With solutions like ResQTag, combined with practical on-ground training and preventive support, we're enhancing real-time emergency response and promoting safer, more confident riding habits, firmly placing delivery partners' safety and well-being first."

Rajat Soni, Co-Founder of VecRep, highlighted the practical design philosophy: "Delivery partners spend most of their time on the road, and safety interventions need to be practical, fast, and built for real-world scenarios. Through Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan, our collaboration with Instamart brings together ResQTag's instant emergency response capability with on-ground training and preventive vehicle care, creating a safety net that works when seconds matter."

Building on Swiggy's Delivering Safely Charter

This emergency safety program builds upon Swiggy's established Delivering Safely charter, a comprehensive nationwide road safety campaign promoting responsible riding and risk reduction among delivery partners. Throughout 2025, Swiggy conducted over 22 structured road safety awareness training workshops in partnership with city traffic police departments, complemented by safety rallies, public pledges, and free helmet distribution initiatives in collaboration with traffic authorities, benefiting thousands of delivery partners.

Comprehensive Protection Beyond Emergency Response

Instamart's safety ecosystem extends far beyond emergency tools. The platform maintains robust long-term safety protocols including an in-app SOS button connecting delivery partners directly to helplines, local police, or hospitals. Notably, Swiggy achieved an industry first in 2023 by introducing complimentary ambulance services for delivery partners.

Comprehensive Welfare Benefits

Currently supporting over 6.9 lakh delivery partners nationwide, the platform provides extensive benefits including accident insurance, comprehensive medical coverage, income support during recovery from accidents or illness, and bereavement leave. These benefits create a holistic safety and welfare framework that protects delivery partners both on and off the road.

Conclusion: Setting Industry Safety Standards

Instamart's latest safety initiatives represent more than corporate responsibility – they establish new benchmarks for delivery partner protection in India's rapidly growing quick commerce sector. By combining innovative emergency response technology with preventive maintenance, comprehensive training, and robust welfare benefits, Instamart demonstrates that business success and workforce safety are mutually reinforcing priorities. As the pilot program expands, it promises to reshape industry standards and inspire broader adoption of comprehensive safety frameworks across the delivery ecosystem.