Patna: Delivery boys on toes to serve people amid pandemic

PATNA: With lockdown in place, online portals and e-commerce units are witnessing long list of orders these days.
Those dealing with home delivery of goods said there has been a surge in demand for vegetables and groceries. Retail outlets across the city are either closed due to lockdown or have limited timeframe to do business.
Delivery boys are braving pandemic to help people get essential items sitting at home. Sunny Raj, who works with a firm dealing with home delivery of groceries, said, “We try to ensure that people get their goods without delay. However, heavy rush sometimes results in delay in delivery of goods. People send lists of items through messages and we deliver their orders on time.”
Another delivery boy, Suraj Kumar, said his payment depends on number of orders he delivers. “We also get incentives on meeting the target of fixed number of deliveries. Since the number of orders has increased manifold these days, we remain on our toes to make the deliveries on time.”
Meanwhile, Rajan Shri, who works in a bakery, said the demand for food items and snacks has plunged due to the lockdown. Owner of the bakery said it has become difficult for him to pay the employees due to massive fall in sales.
Naveen Kumar, owner of a supermarket, said, “Since we are allowed to do business only between 7am and 10am, it makes no sense in accepting online orders.”
Abhishek Sultania, owner of a cafe on Exhibition Road said, “As we also provide the service of veg ‘thali’ to Covid patients, the time limit for delivery is from 9am to 9pm. The takeaway service for normal customers has been restricted due to the lockdown.”
Sachin Singh, a resident of Ashiana Nagar, however, complained that online portals usually don’t have vacant slots for taking orders. “Other issues like missing or stale items are also there. However, we are left with no other option but to avail home delivery service,” he added.