# Diwali Logistics Surge Tests India's Parcel Networks

> Diwali delivery delays highlight India's logistics strain as festive parcel volumes surge.
- Title: Diwali Logistics Surge Tests India's Parcel Networks
- Summary: Diwali delivery delays highlight India's logistics strain as festive parcel volumes surge.
- Keywords: blue dart, diwali, logistics, parcel delivery, e-commerce, diwali 2026, festival sales, diwali delivery, Financialexpress
- Source: Financialexpress — https://financialexpress.com/business/industry-diwali-puts-logistics-network-to-the-test-as-festive-parcel-volumes-surge-4378910
- Author: Sugandha Mukherjee
- Published: 2026-11-06T17:46:27+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: blue dart, diwali, logistics, parcel delivery, e-commerce, diwali 2026, festival sales, diwali delivery, business, money, news
## Diwali delivery delays
A parcel from Delhi to Ghaziabad took four days amid Diwali delivery surges.

> A parcel picked up from Delhi on a Sunday took four days to reach Ayushi Singh in neighbouring Ghaziabad
## Festive sales surge
Online festive sales expected to reach Rs 1.50-1.55 lakh crore in 2026, a 25-29% increase from 2025.

> Online festive sales are expected to reach Rs 1.50-1.55 lakh crore in 2026, registering a 25-29% increase from around Rs 1.2 lakh crore last year
## Blue Dart volume increase
Blue Dart expects business-to-business shipments to increase by 40-50% during peak weeks.

> Blue Dart expects its business-to-business shipments to increase by 40-50% during peak weeks, while business-to-consumer volumes are projected to nearly double compared with regular levels
## Delivery volume challenges
Ekart delivery executive delivered 150,000 orders in a single day during peak periods.

> An Ekart delivery executive told FE that he had "delivered as many as 150,000 orders in a single day"
## Blue Dart staffing plan
Blue Dart plans 30-50% increase in front-end operational staff during peak periods.

> Front-end operational staffing is expected to increase by 30-50% over business-as-usual levels, with additional variable workforce running into thousands
## Uber Parcel demand rise
Uber Parcel demand increases during Diwali as individuals send gifts and businesses fulfill orders.

> By tapping into our existing network of Uber Bike drivers, customers are meeting their delivery needs while opening up more earning opportunities for drivers during the festive rush
## Delhivery automation efforts
Delhivery tests 400 automation systems across India to handle festive shipping volumes.

> Its automation and infrastructure team, comprising more than 30 members, has been maintaining and testing over 400 automation systems deployed across the country
## Logistics bottlenecks
Traffic congestion and shipment volumes disrupt last-mile delivery operations.

> Traffic congestion, fluctuating shipment volumes and the availability of delivery personnel complicate last-mile operations, particularly in metropolitan markets
## Key takeaway

Diwali delivery delays show India's parcel networks struggling with 25-29% higher festive shipping volumes.