Blinkit's 10-Minute Ambulance Pilot: Legal Scrutiny and Competitive Landscape

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal advised quick-commerce companies like Blinkit, which launched a 10-minute ambulance service, to comply with legal regulations. Blinkit's service, currently a pilot in Gurugram, facilitates quick ambulance access through its app. Additionally, the government is monitoring anti-competitive practices among e-commerce firms.

In a bold step towards rapid emergency response, Blinkit has rolled out a 10-minute ambulance service in select areas of Gurugram as a pilot initiative. However, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized the necessity for companies like Blinkit to adhere strictly to legal requirements in their operations.

The new service is accessible through the Blinkit app, where users can call for an ambulance with minimal delay. This development marks a significant move within the quick-commerce sector, aiming to integrate healthcare into its logistics framework.

Despite this innovation, Minister Goyal stressed that maintaining compliance with the law is paramount. The government, he noted, is actively monitoring the practices of e-commerce companies, with the Competition Commission of India already probing some for anti-competitive behavior, ensuring market fairness and adherence to legal standards.

(With inputs from agencies.)