The Mumbai Dabbawala system began in 1890 when a Parsi banker wanted home-cooked food delivered to his office. He hired the first "dabbawala" to deliver lunchboxes, starting a popular delivery service. Over 125 years later, the dabbawala system involves over 5,000 employees who use a complex coding system to efficiently deliver around 200,000 home-cooked lunches across 60-70 square kilometers of Mumbai every day within 3 hours.
2. Who is
Dabbawala
History of Dabbawala
Dabba – “box”
Started in 1890 under British rule.
Around 125 years ago, a Parsi banker
desired to have home – cooked food in
the office. He gave this job to the 1st ever
dabbawalla. This idea picked up and the
concept started becoming popular due
to the visionary effort of Mahadeo Havaji
Bachche who saw this as an opportunity
and started the lunch delivery service.
Recognized as the best case of network
management in the world even by
management gurus and growth.
• A dabbawalla is a
person with a box. He is
the person who
supplies the home
made food to the
person carrying in
lunchboxes.
• Also known as
tiffinwala, tiffin supplier
or anadata.
3. Nuttan Mumbai Tiffin boxes Suppliers
Association
History – started in 1890
Charitable Trust – Registered in 1956
Education- 85% illiterate
Total area coverage- 60km/70km
EmployeeStrength – 5000
No of dabbas – 200000 dabbas i.e. 400000 transaction everyday
Time taken- 3hrs
6. Economic Analysis
Everyone gets paid about seven to
eight thousand rupees per month.
More than 175000 or 200000 lunches
get movedeveryday by an estimated
4500 to 5000 dabbawalla.
Cost of Serviceper lunch box = Rs. 450
per month and is standard price for all
