Dabbawallas

      Category: 
      WeAre
      21 October 2011
      Written by Sacha Carina

      On our way to Dharavi, we have spotted the famous Dabbawallas, who deliver millions of lunchboxes every day in Mumbai. 99.9999% of their boxes are delivered on time and in perfect condition. They use color codings for communication. No technology is used!

      Of course they were happy to take a photo with us, our colleagues :)

       

      Gallery: 
      Dabbawalla's Churchgate train station
      Dabbawalla train station Churchgate
      Dabbawalla on bike
      Express collegues

      Comments

      Submitted by Vivienne Bolsius on 21 October 2011
      Nice blog! Unbelievable how they manage their logistics over there without any technology. Good luck with your reasearch. Nice pictures!
      Sacha Carina's picture

      Submitted by Sacha Carina on 24 October 2011
      Hi Vivienne, Thanks for your reply! It is amazing to see how slum logistics (and Mumbai logistics...) work! See you in a week! Greets from sunny Mumbai, Sacha and Judith

      Submitted by Peter Cornforth on 21 October 2011
      Looks like an increadible experience and a huge opportunity to provide support. I'm looking forward to the next post!
      Sacha Carina's picture

      Submitted by Sacha Carina on 24 October 2011
      Hi Peter, Thnx for your message! We have added some more pictures today! We have visited the Vodafone office last week, great to see that they have an indoors cricket field!!!
      Anne Cobben's picture

      Submitted by Anne Cobben on 21 October 2011
      Dear Sacha, congratulations with setting up such a great project as WeAre. I´m very curious to know what your results will be so I´ll be following your blogs. Goodluck!
      Sacha Carina's picture

      Submitted by Sacha Carina on 24 October 2011
      Hi Anne, Thank you for your enthusiastic reply! We will put all the results on the blog, so keep watching :).

      Submitted by Dick and Karen on 23 October 2011
      Hi Sacha, super blog and beautifull pictures! How do the 'dabbawallas' remember and know who ordered what for lunch and where to deliver it? How does the colorcoding work? Do they use SMS or mobile phones? Would a 'dabbawalla' service work in Amsterdam, Nairobi, Cape Town? Is it similar to a pizzacourier service or more refined? Lots of interesting questions come up, look forward to learn more and discuss this in more detail later. Keep up the good work! No "Delhi Belly" yet? Cheers and above all enjoy! Dick and Karen
      Sacha Carina's picture

      Submitted by Sacha Carina on 24 October 2011
      Hi Dick and Karen (Pap en Mam), Dabbawallas strenght is based on the many different 'fragments' within the service: Every person only has one simple task, but combined it formes one huge network. The colors indicate different directions that the products need to go to. It could definately work in other developing countries. In the Netherlands is would perhaps become too expensive, as the labour costs are quite high. Interesting fact, the Dabbawalla service was originated by the Brittish. They were afraid of eating the local Indian food and therefore wanted their own English food to be delivered at their offices...
      Sacha Carina's picture

      Submitted by Sacha Carina on 24 October 2011
      ...And no, no Delhi bellies yet :)

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