Telangana and Amazon Launch Air-Conditioned Rest Stops for Gig Workers
The Telangana government, in partnership with Amazon India, has launched an initiative to provide essential facilities and improve working conditions for gig workers in Hyderabad. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to set up five rest stop cabins, known as Ashray Centres, in high-footfall locations across the city.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy stated, 'Telangana deeply respects hard work and those who power society and the economy. Collaborating with Amazon India to establish Ashray Centres provides a place where gig workers from all platforms can meet, recuperate, relax, and recharge. These centres will make Hyderabad a better, more humane city.'
Under Project Ashray, Amazon's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, air-conditioned rest stops will be established in Kondapur, Tellapur, Patancheru, Bharathi Nagar, and Chandanagar, all within the Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) limits. The facilities will be free of charge for gig workers from all platforms, offering rest areas, refreshments, and basic necessities.
Essential amenities include free Wi-Fi, mobile charging stations, drinking water, and air conditioning. The entire cost of setting up and maintaining these centres will be borne by Amazon India.
Gig workers have welcomed the move. Mohammad Rafi, a delivery driver, said, 'During our delivery routes, the heat takes a toll, our phones die, and finding a place to rest or recharge feels impossible. Having a clean space to take a break, use the washroom, have a glass of water, and charge our phones without losing precious time will drastically improve our lives.'
MAUD Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in building resilient urban infrastructure. 'The gig workers' rest stops are a practical, scalable model that addresses a real gap – providing delivery drivers with access to essential facilities while on the move. We look forward to working with Amazon India to improve working conditions for delivery drivers in Telangana,' he said.
Salim Memon, Director of Operations at Amazon India, noted that the initiative is based on the idea that every delivery driver deserves a clean, comfortable place to rest during their workday. 'As we scale to 250 centres nationwide, we continue to invest in the well-being of the people who power last-mile delivery across India,' he added.
The initiative is seen as a step towards ensuring the well-being and safety of gig workers, who play an increasingly vital role in urban logistics and services. By providing accessible rest stops, the partnership aims to address the challenges posed by long working hours, extreme weather, and lack of basic amenities.
