City complexes try to put brakes on delivery personnel in a rush
Times of India | 26 March 2025
Kolkata: In the wake of a shocking incident where a group of delivery personnel from a quick-commerce firm allegedly barged into a New Town housing complex and assaulted security guards and office staff over a parking dispute, residents' welfare associations (RWAs) across Kolkata are reviewing security measures to prevent similar occurrences.
The incident has also reignited a long-standing debate on whether to allow delivery agents to drive up to individual towers or stop them at the gate, making them walk to residents' homes. Several complexes in Kolkata, New Town, Salt Lake, and Rajarhat have either introduced or reinforced the requirement of ID verification for delivery personnel at the main gates, implementing digital visitor logs.
"Since morning, this is the only thing being discussed in the RWA WhatsApp group. We at South City have tried several means to streamline the movement of delivery personnel on the premises. Till a few months ago, we used to stop delivery personnel at the gates and make them ride a cycle we kept on campus to the tower to deliver the products. However, several residents complained about the system, and now we allow the agents to ride up to the towers after digital entry and ask them to park their bikes at designated areas," said Manoj Gupta, a South City resident.
At New Town Heights, the RWA is increasing the number of security guards and installing more CCTV cameras to monitor entry points. An RWA official said they use two-step verification with digital video registration and intercom verification.
"Delivery agents need to park at a specific spot near the tower and approach the security officer at the entrance, who calls up the flat owner for verification," said Sameer Sharma, the RWA president.
Despite the new measures, RWA members said they are grappling with a dilemma — whether to allow delivery personnel to drive on the complex or stop them at the gates. While many RWAs argue allowing delivery personnel inside ensures faster deliveries, others feel it poses security risks.
"We know if we force them to walk, they will have to carry heavy orders across long distances. But if we allow them to ride in, we lose control over who enters the premises," said Ashok Baid, secretary of Silver Spring housing complex.