Shopping at Delhi’s crowded street markets may soon become a lot easier. A new startup, CarryMen, has introduced an on-demand assistant service at the bustling Lajpat Nagar Central Market, allowing customers to hire trained helpers to carry shopping bags, stand in food queues, assist with strollers, and even guide them to parking areas or nearby metro stations. The service, which began operations in April, charges Rs 79 for 30 minutes and Rs 149 for an hour, with bookings available for up to four hours. According to the company, the idea is to make shopping more comfortable, particularly for elderly people, families with children, and those carrying heavy purchases. Reports suggest the startup also plans to expand to other popular shopping destinations such as Chandni Chowk and Sarojini Nagar.
Operating under the tagline “You Shop, We Carry,” the startup has quickly gone viral on social media, with many users calling it a practical solution for navigating Delhi’s crowded markets. Besides carrying bags, the assistants can help customers find seating, wait in long snack queues, and even provide add-on services such as umbrellas, foldable chairs, baby strollers, and mobile charging facilities. The company claims that assistants working with the platform can earn up to Rs 18,000 a month, presenting the venture as a structured gig-economy opportunity.
However, the concept has also ignited a wider debate online. Critics argue that the service is little more than a modern version of the traditional “coolie” system, raising concerns about labour dignity and the growing dependence of the urban middle class on low-cost human assistance. Others have defended the idea, saying it formalises an existing informal service while creating employment opportunities in a challenging job market. The contrasting reactions have turned CarryMen into one of the country’s most talked-about startups, with many questioning whether it represents genuine innovation or simply a rebranding of age-old manual labour.
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