Mumbai Dabbawalas could soon be delivering parcels

Already well-known for their last-mile delivery of lunch boxes (called dabbas colloquially in Mumbai) from their homes to over two lakh office goers, the Dabbawals, usually illiterate, use an intricate coding system with unerring accuracy to identify the right dabbas to be delivered to the right recipients. 

Mumbai Dabbawala Association spokesperson Subhash Talekar said are close to finalising the new project of parcel deliveries within the city. He said the deal will be finalised within 15 days after discussing some issues with the members. 

“The main aim of this project is to increase the income of our members. In free time they can opt for this as we can deliver in shortest possible time as compared to companies involved in this area,” he said.

Currently over 5,000 people are employed in the business of delivery of around two lakh tiffin boxes in Mumbai. Talekar said the association has already tied up with some e-commerce companies to deliver their products and also handle branding and advertising activities to increase the income of its members.

“We have to see whether we will be doing this service (couriers and parcels) after delivery of tiffins or before that as our core business is delivery of dabbas. we are also discussing the rates,” he said.

He added that the plan has already been implemented on a trial basis in some parts of the city. “We have to train our people and the association is also developing a mobile app for the purpose to trace and track the parcels,”he added.