Amazon India is setting up a network of rest points for delivery associates across major cities such as Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. Launched in partnership with Udyasa Foundation, the initiative—titled Project Ashray—is part of Amazon’s unwavering commitment to support the well-being of delivery associates across the country.
India’s first Ashray centre was inaugurated in Gurugram on August 23 by Michiko Miyamoto, India Country Director at International Labour Organisation. Currently, Amazon has plans to initially establish five pilot centres at high-footfall locations across Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. The Ashray centers will be accessible to the delivery associates across the e-commerce ecosystem.
Inside an Ashray rest point for delivery associates
The Ashray centres will provide essential amenities like washrooms, seating, drinking water, and charging stations. Each Ashray center can accommodate 15 people at a time and will be operational throughout the year from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The facility's usage will be free and limited to 30 minutes per visit. Parking spaces will also be provided for delivery associates. Amazon will undertake multiple initiatives to create awareness about these rest points among delivery associates. Additionally, the Ashray centre locations will be added to Google Maps for easy access by delivery associates.
“At Amazon, we are committed to maintaining industry-leading infrastructure and practices to ensure the best on-road experience for our delivery partners,” says Abhinav Singh, Vice President-Operations, Amazon India. “Project Ashray is a significant part of our broader efforts to improve driver experience and well-being. By providing dedicated rest points with essential amenities, we aim to ensure that all delivery associates across e-commerce eco-system have the best possible and most comfortable environment while they work.”
More rest points with enhanced amenities planned
Amazon India may develop additional resting facilities under Project Ashray in the coming months. These facilities will include guarded restrooms ensuring the safety of women delivery associates, shelter during monsoons or heat waves, along with drinking water, a mobile phone charging facility, first aid support, and an electric two-wheeler charging facility at government-subsidised prices.
Amazon’s commitment to support delivery partners, associates and truckers
On the road, Amazon continuously evaluates new ways to support its drivers during fluctuating weather conditions. For example, in Gurugram, which was experiencing extreme heatwaves in May-June this year, Amazon had restricted delivery operations in the peak heat hours of 1pm-4pm and asked delivery associates to rest when temperatures were at the highest in the day.
Amazon has also introduced initiatives like ‘Sushruta’, a wide-ranging health and wellness programme, to address the healthcare needs of truck drivers by working with its 350+ trucking partners. Sushruta is designed to enable early detection and diagnosis of medical conditions, raise awareness about long-term health practices and promote digital innovation through teleconsultation. Amazon also offers scholarships to children of driver associates as part of the Pratidhi scholarship programme which was introduced in 2022. In December 2023, Amazon India felicitated over 60 school children in Bengaluru under the Pratidhi scholarship programme for 2023-24.
Amazon continues making investments to support the health, safety, and wellbeing of its employees, associates and partners.
