Amazon India to scale up rest facilities for delivery associates to 250 in Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and other cities
Amazon on Friday announced plans to expand its ‘Ashray’ centres, dedicated rest areas for delivery drivers, to 250 centers this year in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and other cities across the country. As part of the expansion, the company plans to open 50 new centers by the end of May.
Expansion comes amid heatwave concerns
The announcement carries significance as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of higher than normal temperatures between May and June, with more heatwave days expected in central and eastern India as well as the northwestern plains.
Amazon currently operates more than 100 Ashray centers across 16 cities in India.
Facilities available in Ashray centers
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Amazon’s ‘Ashray’ centers are special rest stops for delivery drivers. These facilities are equipped with air-conditioned seating, potable water, electrolytes, mobile charging points, clean toilets and comfortable rest areas.
Amazon is expanding its ‘Ashray’ centers in response to India Meteorological Department (IMD) warnings about higher than normal temperatures and an expected increase in heatwave days between May and June.
Amazon plans to expand its ‘Ashray’ centers to 250 locations across the country this year, with 50 new centers scheduled to open by the end of May. They currently operate more than 100 centres.
Amazon’s mobile ‘Ashray’ units are air-conditioned vans deployed along high-traffic delivery routes. It is equipped with amenities such as air-conditioned seating, drinking water, electrolytes, Wi-Fi and mobile charging points.
Amazon’s ‘Ashray’ centers are open to all delivery drivers, including those who do not deliver to Amazon. The initiative aims to provide a place for any delivery driver to rest and recharge during the workday.
Ashray is Amazon’s network of dedicated break centers for all delivery drivers, including those outside of Amazon’s delivery network. The centers have air-conditioned seating, drinking water, electrolytes, mobile charging points, clean toilets, first aid kits and comfortable rest areas.
The initiative is designed to give delivery drivers a place to rest and recharge along their routes, especially during the busy summer months.
The 100 existing centers will record more than one million visits by delivery drivers across the industry in 2025, according to the company.
Salim R Memon, Chief Operating Officer, Amazon India, said: “The health, safety and well-being of our employees across our network of operations is our top priority. Ashray was built on a simple idea: Every delivery driver, whether delivering for Amazon or not, deserves a clean, cool place to unwind during their work day.”
“Scaling to 250 centers and bringing these facilities directly to delivery drivers through our mobile units reflects this commitment. It is also part of our broader investment.” ₹2,800 crore to strengthen the safety, health and well-being of employees across our network of operations,” he added.
Amazon is also launching mobile ‘Ashray’ units, which are air-conditioned vans deployed along high-traffic delivery routes so drivers can access rest and hydration support without having to travel to a fixed location, the statement said.
These mobile units are equipped with amenities such as air-conditioned seating, drinking water, electrolytes, Wi-Fi and mobile charging points.
Amazon combines MX Player with Prime Video
Meanwhile, Amazon India on Thursday announced the strategic merger of Amazon MX Player and Prime Video to create a single, comprehensive streaming platform.
With the merger, the company said it aims to offer a central hub for Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD), Advertising Video on Demand (AVOD), Transactional Video on Demand (TVOD) and various add-on subscriptions.
The integration of the two OTT services will allow Prime members to access an extensive library of originals and exclusive content across devices, with the flexibility to choose between ad-supported and ad-free viewing experiences, the company said.
“Amazon MX Player joins Prime Video, bringing India’s largest selection of exclusive and original content under one destination across free and paid streaming,” Amazon India said in a statement. he said.
