Uber Starts Sanitation Drive for 1.4 Million Driver-Partners Across 9 Indian Cities

Ride-hailing firm Uber has entered into an agreement with Sulabh International to grant its driver-partners complimentary access to public convenience facilities spanning nine metropolitan areas throughout India. The arrangement was unveiled to coincide with World Toilet Day observances. The agreement lets drivers use Sulabh-managed toilet facilities at no cost across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Jaipur, Lucknow, Kolkata and Ahmedabad. Drivers require only their Uber registration identification, accessible through the mobile application, to gain entry to the facilities.

Dedicated Provisions for Female Driver-Partners

The collaboration incorporates targeted measures addressing the needs of women drivers. Fifty Sulabh toilet complexes will receive installations of sanitary pad vending machines alongside incineration units, supplying complimentary menstrual hygiene products with appropriate disposal infrastructure.

Amit Deshpande, Head of City Operations at Uber India and South Asia, stated that access to sanitation is a basic need for drivers who spend much of their day on the road. Kumar Dilip, President of Sulabh International, said the initiative extends sanitation facilities to millions of drivers on the Uber platform.

Sulabh International assumes responsibility for facility upkeep, encompassing cleanliness protocols and provision of sanitation supplies. Both organisations indicated the partnership advances the aims of the Swachh Bharat Mission, the Indian government's nationwide sanitation improvement campaign.

Platform Reaches 125 Cities 

Uber commenced Indian operations in 2013 and presently functions across 125 urban centres nationwide. The platform reports facilitating in excess of 3 billion journeys whilst providing income opportunities to more than 1.4 million Indian residents through its service. Sulabh International operates as a non-governmental organisation dedicated to sanitation infrastructure and social development initiatives throughout India.

The announcement addresses long-standing concerns within the ride-hailing sector regarding adequate rest facilities for drivers, particularly those working extended shifts in congested urban environments where suitable public amenities remain limited. Transport worker advocacy groups have previously highlighted inadequate toilet access as a significant occupational welfare issue affecting gig economy workers.