Logistics giant DTDC Express celebrated its 35th Foundation Day on August 22, 2025, by announcing a bold new step into rapid commerce with the launch of its Raftaar vertical. The service promises lightning-fast delivery within 4–6 hours across India, powered by a network of hyperlocal dark stores and cutting-edge technology.
Alongside this, DTDC unveiled India’s first white paper on rapid commerce—prepared in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group (BCG)—highlighting how delivery speed is now as crucial as product and price in India’s booming e-commerce market.
What Is Raftaar and How Will It Work?
Raftaar aims to revolutionize last-mile delivery using a hybrid approach that combines small, strategically located hyperlocal dark stores with technology-driven logistics. Here’s how it’s expected to function:
- Hyperlocal dark stores: Small warehouses stocked with fast-moving products will be set up near major customer hubs.
- 4-6 hour delivery window: Orders within designated time slots will be fulfilled immediately from the nearest dark store, with delivery agents assigned for fast, reliable service.
- Tech integration: AI and real-time tracking will optimize inventory management, order allocation, and delivery routes, offering customers live visibility on their orders.
- Focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities: Unlike many quick-commerce models that concentrate on metros, Raftaar aims to serve smaller markets where rapid delivery options are limited.
- Partnerships: Retailers, D2C brands, and e-commerce companies can integrate with Raftaar for fast fulfillment capabilities.
DTDC’s Legacy and New Ambition
DTDC Express, one of India’s largest logistics providers covering 20,000+ pin codes, has traditionally specialized in standard and express deliveries with timelines of 1-3 days. Raftaar represents the company’s push from just “Xpress” deliveries into an era of “Xponential” rapid commerce, leveraging its deep logistics network and proprietary technology to compete in India’s speed-driven market.
Subhasish Chakraborty, founder, chairman, and managing director of DTDC, framed the launch as a natural evolution:
“The foundation laid 35 years ago positions us today to lead the next big leap in logistics — speed at scale. Rapid commerce will redefine customer experience, supply chain efficiency, and market competitiveness.”
Alpesh Shah, managing director and senior partner at BCG, called rapid commerce a strategic shift in consumer engagement, with the 4-6 hour delivery window hitting the “Goldilocks zone”—fast enough to drive sales and loyalty, yet sustainable at scale.
Why Raftaar Is a Big Deal for India’s E-commerce
- Fulfills a critical market gap: While metros have several rapid delivery options, much of India, especially Tier 2 and 3 cities, lacks quick commerce solutions.
- Builds customer loyalty: Speedy delivery boosts conversion rates and repeat purchases.
- Creates efficiency: Sharing dark stores across brands and batching deliveries reduces last-mile costs by 20-30%, making ‘speed at scale’ economically viable.
- Expands revenue streams: Partners benefit from instant fulfillment, reaching more consumers with less delay.
- Supports a Viksit Bharat: The approach aligns with India’s push for infrastructure, job creation, and technology-driven growth.
DTDC’s Vision for the Future
With Raftaar, DTDC is actively transforming itself from a traditional logistics company into a technology-led rapid commerce player. CEO Abhishek Chakraborty emphasized:
“Rapid commerce isn’t just about faster deliveries; it is a strategic shift in consumer engagement… With Raftaar, we are evolving from Xpress to Xponential, leveraging DTDC’s reach and technology to make rapid delivery a standard, particularly in high-growth Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.”
The launch event in Mumbai brought together top industry leaders, investors, and brand representatives to discuss how rapid delivery will reshape retail and consumer habits. Discussions emphasized growing consumer expectations around speed, personalization, and seamless experience supported by tech-enabled supply chains.
Closing Thoughts
DTDC’s Raftaar is well poised to become a major force in India’s evolving e-commerce logistics space. By combining a vast reach, smart technology, and new business models tailored for emerging markets, DTDC is setting the stage for the rapid delivery revolution to become a reality far beyond the metros—bringing convenience, loyalty, and growth opportunity to the heart of India’s digital economy.
