The Noida Authority has taken strict action against a major quick-commerce player, imposing a hefty penalty for environmental violations. Blink Commerce Pvt Ltd, the legal entity behind the Blinkit app, has been fined Rs 5 lakh for flouting solid waste management and plastic ban norms at one of its cloud kitchens.
Inspection Uncovers Multiple Violations
The penalty was levied following a ground-level inspection conducted on Monday, December 17, 2025. Officials from the Noida Authority, led by the public health officer, visited a Blinkit-operated cloud kitchen in Sector 62. This inspection was part of the city's preparations for the annual 'Swachh Survekshan' cleanliness survey.
During the visit, authorities discovered several serious lapses. The establishment was not segregating waste at the source, a mandatory practice for bulk waste generators. Furthermore, liquid waste was being improperly discharged into the sewer system. The kitchen was also found handing over its garbage to unauthorized scrap dealers, who were subsequently dumping it at various locations across the city.
Banned Plastic and Environmental Neglect
In addition to the waste management failures, the inspection revealed the use of prohibited single-use plastic for packaging. Officials seized approximately 50 kg of single-use plastic containers from the premises. The Noida Authority also noted that the area surrounding the building was in a deplorable state, with food waste and other garbage littering nearby parks and open spaces.
"Such practices are unacceptable for bulk waste generators," stated the authority. Citing clear non-compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules and regulations for bulk waste generators, the Rs 5 lakh fine was formally imposed. The company was also warned of stricter punitive action if the violations continue.
Wider Crackdown on Plastic and Waste
The action against Blinkit was not an isolated incident. Following this penalty, the Noida Authority carried out an anti-plastic drive at Amrapali Princely Market in Sector 76. During this drive, shopkeepers were sensitized to the rules, and enforcement action was taken against violators. 150 kg of plastic was seized from Cold Rock Cafe and 60 kg from Al Nawab Biryani.
Later the same day, an inspection at RCube Monad Mall in Sector 42 led to the seizure of another 80 kg of banned single-use plastic. This series of actions underscores a heightened focus by civic authorities on enforcing environmental regulations.
This incident highlights the operational challenges faced by rapidly expanding quick-commerce and cloud kitchen models. Blinkit, which initially delivered groceries, had expanded into the ready-to-eat food segment earlier in 2025 with its 'Bistro by Blinkit' vertical, promising deliveries within 15 minutes.
The Noida penalty also follows similar regulatory actions against other quick-commerce platforms. In June 2025, the FDA suspended the licence of a Zepto cloud kitchen in Mumbai's Dharavi after finding violations including fungal growth on food items and poor storage conditions. These events point to increasing regulatory scrutiny on the back-end operations of fast-delivery services.
