PIL Alleges Serious Traffic Law Violations by Delivery Agents

The Delhi High Court has issued notices to the central government, Delhi Police, Delhi transport department, and major e-commerce and gig platforms after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleged that delivery workers regularly violate traffic rules, posing serious risks to public safety.

The PIL was filed by Supreme Court advocate Shashank Shri Tripathi, who claims that many delivery agents are transporting oversized and overweight packages on two-wheelers, violating the Motor Vehicles Act and endangering not just their own lives but also those of commuters and pedestrians.

Court Demands Response from Top E-Commerce Companies

The High Court bench, led by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, directed the following platforms and authorities to submit their responses within four weeks:

• Amazon Seller Services

• Flipkart

• Zomato

• Swiggy

• BigBasket

• Zepto

• Domino’s

• McDonald’s

• Porter

• Urban Company

• Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

• Delhi Transport Department

• Delhi Police

The court also asked the Delhi government to present details of its 2023 Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme, which was officially introduced in November 2023.

Petitioner: Delivery System Needs Urgent Regulation

In the petition, Tripathi raised concerns about the “unchecked and unsafe delivery ecosystem” in India’s urban areas. He argued that bulky items such as industrial equipment, foldable furniture, and commercial-sized boxes are often transported on scooters and motorcycles — far beyond their legal load limits.

“Such operations violate traffic laws and put lives at risk. India cannot allow its delivery system to grow without proper regulation,” said Tripathi.

Court Calls for Action and Accountability

The High Court has now asked all respondents to explain what actions they have taken under the 2023 policy to ensure compliance. The goal is to establish strict regulatory guidelines that protect:

• Delivery workers

• Road commuters

• Pedestrians

The PIL requests the court to instruct government authorities to draft and implement clear, enforceable rules for gig economy delivery operations, ensuring all platforms follow the Motor Vehicles Act.

What’s at Stake?

With the booming gig economy and the rising number of online deliveries, this case highlights a critical need to address road safety, worker protection, and corporate accountability in India’s rapidly evolving urban logistics sector.