Hyderabad: Syed Farhan, a Zomato delivery rider, fell into an uncovered drain during heavy rain while completing an order. In the chaos, his phone was swept away and his bike suffered significant damage. Local residents rushed to rescue him—even using a pipe to help pull him out. Thankfully, he escaped without serious injury
🚨 Hyderabad | 9 Aug 2025, 9:30 PM Near TKR Kaman, @zomato delivery Worker falls into drainage during heavy rain — bike & phone gone. ₹10 rain bonus = worker’s life, @deepigoyal❓ 💔@TelanganaCMO @revanth_anumula @Ponnam_INC@VivekVenkatswam#TGPWU #ShaikSalauddin #GigWorkers pic.twitter.com/z5lnPAvFGM
— Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (@TGPWU) August 10, 2025
A video of the incident went viral, showing bystanders first retrieving Farhan’s bike and then helping him get out of the drain. In the footage, you can hear someone saying: “Take this pipe, tie it to the vehicle, and we will pull you out.”
A Touch of Kindness:
Amid this act of heroism, a compassionate Muslim youth stepped forward and gifted Farhan both his lost phone and bike, restoring a touch of hope amid the chaos.
Workers’ Union Speaks Out:
The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers’ Union (TGPWU) condemned the incident, saying it reflects how companies prioritize profits over safety. Union leader Shaik Salauddin said:
“This is not just an accident—it is a direct consequence of platforms prioritising profits over worker safety. God saved Farhan—but tomorrow could be too late for someone else.”
The union demanded Zomato:
- Provide Farhan with a new phone,
- Repair his bike, and
- Compensate him for lost income.
They also urged delivery apps to suspend operations during extreme weather, offer fair rain and surge bonuses, and share real-time weather alerts with riders so they can make safer decisions.
GHMC (Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation) has previously issued advisories against sending riders out in severe weather, but TGPWU says these are often ignored.
Public Reaction:
On social media, many comments criticized local authorities for poor road and drainage maintenance. One user noted, “In new‑age India, profit seems more important than human life.” Another asked, “Would someone else, other than a delivery rider, have fallen?”
