Amazon India plans to expand its Ashray network of air-conditioned rest centres to 250 locations across the country by the end of 2026, as the company increases investments focused on delivery associate welfare and operational infrastructure.
The company will operationalise 50 new Ashray centres by the end of May 2026, adding to the existing network of 100 centres spread across cities including Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai.
Amazon has also introduced mobile Ashray vans in Delhi-NCR. These air-conditioned mobile units are stationed at high-footfall delivery zones, allowing delivery associates to access rest facilities without travelling to fixed centres. The vans provide seating, drinking water, electrolytes, Wi-Fi and mobile charging points. According to Amazon, hundreds of delivery associates have already used the service within days of launch.
A notable aspect of Project Ashray is that the centres remain open free of cost to all delivery associates, irrespective of the company they work for. Amazon stated that the 100 Ashray centres launched in 2025 recorded more than one million visits from delivery associates across the industry.
Expanding Welfare Infrastructure
Salim R Memon, Director Operations, Amazon India, says, “The health, safety, and well-being of associates across our operations network are a topmost priority for us. Ashray was built on a simple idea—that every delivery associate, whether they deliver for Amazon or not, deserves a clean, cool place to rest during their workday. Scaling to 250 centres and taking these facilities directly to delivery associates through our mobile units is a reflection of that commitment. This is also part of our broader investment of over ₹2,800 crore to strengthen associate safety, health, and well-being across our operations network.”
Project Ashray was launched in 2024 with its first centre in Gurugram, followed by expansion into Bengaluru and Mumbai. Each centre accommodates up to 15 people at a time and allows free access for up to 30 minutes per visit. The facilities operate from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and are located in high-footfall areas including petrol pumps and commercial rental spaces.
The centres offer amenities such as air-conditioned seating, clean drinking water, mobile charging points, washrooms, first-aid kits and parking spaces. Their locations are also integrated into Google Maps for easier access.
Partnership-Led Expansion
Amazon’s partnership with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has played a central role in expanding the Ashray network. In August 2025, Amazon and HPCL launched 40 Ashray centres, including a facility inaugurated in Delhi’s Rohini area by Shri Yogender Chandolia, Member of Parliament from Delhi’s North-West Constituency.
Amazon is also working with partners including Udyasa Foundation and Rural Education and Development (READ) India to establish additional centres across India.
Delivery associates using the centres highlighted the importance of access to rest areas, charging facilities and washrooms during long work hours, especially during extreme weather conditions.
Market Research Outlook Analysis
Amazon’s expansion of Project Ashray signals a broader shift in India’s logistics and e-commerce sector where workforce infrastructure and delivery partner welfare are becoming strategic operational priorities.
As competition intensifies in e-commerce and quick commerce, companies are increasingly differentiating themselves through ecosystem support, workforce retention and operational sustainability rather than only delivery speed.
The initiative also reflects how large platform companies are investing deeper into physical support infrastructure to strengthen last-mile networks across urban India. The sector is steadily moving toward more structured and welfare-focused delivery ecosystems as scale and workforce dependency continue to grow.
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Source: Amazon India
