<p>Now, Bengalureans can stay home during the lockdown and still get groceries and medicines. </p>.<p>Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday launched a citywide home delivery service that citizens can access via phone or through WhatsApp, which he said was India’s first such system. </p>.<p>Anchored by MP Tejasvi Surya, the home delivery system was piloted in his Bengaluru South constituency. “It was a success. In seven days, more than 11,000 customers were served. Now, it has been decided to implement it across Bengaluru’s municipal limits. This is a good and important step towards ensuring safety of citizens,” Yediyurappa said. </p>.<p>“Citizens can call 080-61914960 or message on WhatsApp to get daily supplies and medicines delivered home. Using WhatsApp for delivery through nearby stores is the first in India,” Yediyurappa said. </p>.<p>More than 18,000 merchants — grocery shops, pharmacies and vegetable sellers — have been registered and geo-mapped for the service, according to the CM. “Citizens need to pay just Rs 10,” he said. “More than 5,000 delivery personnel are engaged in this.” </p>.<p>According to a statement from Surya’s office, this was India’s first WhatsApp bot-enabled service. It is also India’s first integrated voice and messaging platform. </p>.<p>Citizens can call the number and speak to the call centre volunteer to place an order. They can also use WhatsApp to type out the list of items or send a photo of the list of items required, including a picture of the doctor’s prescription in the case of medicines. The delivery will be made within a day.</p>.<p>“This helpline has been operational in Bengaluru South police division limits since April 12,” Surya said. “We’ve developed the platform in such a way that whenever a customer places an order, the items are bought from the store located closest to the customer’s house,” he said.</p>
<p>Now, Bengalureans can stay home during the lockdown and still get groceries and medicines. </p>.<p>Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Tuesday launched a citywide home delivery service that citizens can access via phone or through WhatsApp, which he said was India’s first such system. </p>.<p>Anchored by MP Tejasvi Surya, the home delivery system was piloted in his Bengaluru South constituency. “It was a success. In seven days, more than 11,000 customers were served. Now, it has been decided to implement it across Bengaluru’s municipal limits. This is a good and important step towards ensuring safety of citizens,” Yediyurappa said. </p>.<p>“Citizens can call 080-61914960 or message on WhatsApp to get daily supplies and medicines delivered home. Using WhatsApp for delivery through nearby stores is the first in India,” Yediyurappa said. </p>.<p>More than 18,000 merchants — grocery shops, pharmacies and vegetable sellers — have been registered and geo-mapped for the service, according to the CM. “Citizens need to pay just Rs 10,” he said. “More than 5,000 delivery personnel are engaged in this.” </p>.<p>According to a statement from Surya’s office, this was India’s first WhatsApp bot-enabled service. It is also India’s first integrated voice and messaging platform. </p>.<p>Citizens can call the number and speak to the call centre volunteer to place an order. They can also use WhatsApp to type out the list of items or send a photo of the list of items required, including a picture of the doctor’s prescription in the case of medicines. The delivery will be made within a day.</p>.<p>“This helpline has been operational in Bengaluru South police division limits since April 12,” Surya said. “We’ve developed the platform in such a way that whenever a customer places an order, the items are bought from the store located closest to the customer’s house,” he said.</p>
