Blinkit’s 10-Minute Ambulance Plan Under Spotlight:'Law of the Land Must Be Followed,' Says Piyush Goyal

A day after Zomato-owned Blinkit launched its 10-minute ambulance service, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized that the company must adhere to the law of the land and ensure all legal requirements are met.

Speaking at a briefing, Goyal stated, as reported by ANI, "Regarding Blinkit's ambulance service or delivery of medicines, my only submission is that they must comply with the law of the land. All legal requirements should be properly addressed, and no laws should be violated."

Blinkit introduced the initiative on Thursday, offering ambulance service at patients' doorsteps within approximately 10 minutes. The pilot phase has begun with five ambulances operating in Gurugram.

Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa highlighted that the ambulances are equipped with critical life-saving equipment, including oxygen cylinders, an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), a stretcher, a monitor, a suction machine, and essential emergency medicines and injections.

Each ambulance is staffed with a paramedic, an assistant, and a trained driver to ensure high-quality service during emergencies. Dhindsa also noted, "Profit is not the goal here. We aim to operate this service at an affordable cost while addressing this critical issue in the long term."

Currently, Blinkit offers a range of quick-commerce products, including food items, cosmetics, daily essentials, and pet care products.

In a separate development, Piyush Goyal also held discussions with stakeholders from the electric vehicle (EV) sector, focusing on battery charging and swapping infrastructure. Representatives from Tata, TVS, and Mercedes-Benz India, along with officials from the Department of Heavy Industries and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), attended the meeting. An official noted that discussions included concerns regarding the placement and standards of battery swapping stations and charging infrastructure.