M. Tejeswar, a 25-year-old food delivery worker in Visakhapatnam, suffered a serious leg fracture after crashing on BRTS Road while rushing to deliver multiple orders. He was off work without pay for nearly three months. Tejeswar considers himself lucky compared to others who have faced fatal accidents on the job. Many gig workers in Visakhapatnam, around 17,000 strong, deliver food, groceries, medicines, and offer bike taxi services. Fast delivery demands dominate the market. Although the government urged platforms to drop 10-minute delivery targets, customers continue to expect it, pressuring workers. "Even if the delay is marginal, people immediately contact customer care," says Tejeswar. Negative reviews hurt earnings and ratings. He adds that navigating heavy traffic areas like Jadagamba and NAD Junction is tough but still results in poor feedback. Gig workers face harsh conditions including pollution, sun exposure, and climbing multiple floors to deliver. Tejeswar notes frequent headaches and body pain. Payment is low and varies by distance. For 7-8 km deliveries, workers earn ₹60-70, but short distance rides pay less than ₹20. Bonus incentives require high daily earnings, which is hard due to intense competition among many gig workers. Workers must stay logged in 12-16 hours daily regardless of orders. K. Shankar, a delivery worker, highlights this demanding schedule. Incidents of mistreatment also occur. In March 2025, a worker was assaulted by a customer, sparking protests. B. Jagan, president of the All India Gig Workers Association in Visakhapatnam, says violence is often unreported. He recalled a 2025 accident that killed one worker and injured 12 others. The gig economy is booming. Niti Aayog projects 2.35 crore gig workers in India by 2029-30. Many, like 22-year-old B. Venkata Ramana, depend on gig work despite low monthly earnings of ₹12,000-15,000. Ramana delivers 15-20 orders daily and seeks better jobs but currently relies on gig income. Wages fluctuate without fixed rates. Jagan states, "Sometimes it’s Rs. 70 per 10 km, sometimes Rs. 80 and sometimes Rs. 100. There is no fixed amount." He adds workers once earned minimum daily pay but now have no wage guarantee for logged hours. Protesting workers risk having their IDs blocked, reducing orders and income. The association continues to fight for minimum wage and better protections. Srinivas, another worker, demands government action to ensure safety and fair compensation for injured or deceased gig workers. The challenges reveal an urgent need to secure rights and welfare for Visakhapatnam’s gig workforce as delivery demand grows rapidly.