Coronavirus: Ola offers mobility services for health workers, kitchen staff to states

Ride-sharing platform Ola has announced that it is ready to join hands with various state governments to offer mobility help to all the frontline warriors engaged in the battle against novel coronavirus. It plans to facilitate the transportation of healthcare professionals, senior citizens, government officials and quick response teams. Ola CEO and co-founder Bhavish Aggarwal also announced that the states can also take help of the corporate kitchen staff from over 40 cities.

The ride-hailing giant has already started rendering mobility services in Karnataka with a fleet of 500 cars for COVID-19 related activities.

Ola co-founder and CEO Bhavish Aggarwal in a tweet said: "Thank you Sir! We‘re humbled to join hands with GoK and other state Governments in offering all support we can in these times. @Olacabs driver-partners and @Olafoods_India kitchen staff are proud to join various essential service providers in #IndiafightsCorona #StrongerTogether".

According to news agency PTI, Ola is engaged in conversations with Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Telengana, and similar proposals have also been sent to Health Ministry and Prime Minister's Office.

Apart from lending a helping hand to state governments, Ola is also raising funds for its partner drivers who have been left unemployed by the 21 days national coronavirus lockdown. Under the 'Drive the Driver Fund' initiative, it plans to raise ₹50 crore through crowdfunding to secure monetary help for the auto-rickshaw, cab, kaali-peeli and taxi drivers employed by Ola. Ola will donate ₹20 crore for the fund. Ola CEO would forgo his salary for one year that would go towards the fund.

The move is expected to help lakhs of drivers associated with the ride-hailing service.