PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Food delivery is set to become more expensive for many Doon residents as major online platforms such as Zomato and Swiggy have increased platform fees per order, adding to the overall cost of ordering meals online across India.
In recent times, app-based food delivery services have remained a preferred option for students, working professionals and families seeking convenience. However, users say that the recent increase in platform fees Rs 17.58 per order (including GST) by Swiggy and Rs 14.90 (excluding GST) by Zomato, has added to the total cost of each order.
A Doon resident Sagar Chauhan said that he lives alone in the city and doesn’t “like to cook three times a day and therefore I prefer to order food when I don’t feel like cooking.” But he says, “The extra charges are now clearly visible in the final bill.”
“Earlier, ordering food online felt normal. Now with delivery charges and platform fees, each order costs Rs 20 to Rs 30 more. It affects people who order frequently,” he said.
Chauhan said that he ordered at least five meals per week, but after recent changes, he may order just three meals per week.
Rohit Verma, who works at a private company, said that he relied on Swiggy and Zomato for his lunches. “After the recent hike in the platform fees and pricier restaurant menus due to LPG shortage, I now prefer to bring my own tiffin,” Verma said.
Delivery workers also said that they are seeing some change in customer behaviour. Gautam Kumar, who works with Zomato, said that fuel and bike maintenance costs have increased in recent months. “Expenses have gone up for us. At the same time, some customers are ordering less than before,” Kumar said.
A delivery executive with Swiggy, Rakesh Chauhan said that students in particular are becoming more careful about how often they place orders. “Earlier, I used to deliver a lot of orders for students many times a week. Now I see very few orders that I am delivering to young kids,” Chauhan said.
Restaurant owners in the city also said that they have noticed a small change in online order numbers. One local restaurant partner said that customers are sometimes choosing to pick up food themselves to avoid extra charges added during checkout.
Many residents, talking to The Pioneer, blamed the rising fuel costs and other expenses that they said are affecting delivery services.
