A housing society in New Delhi has stirred debate after its Resident Welfare Association (RWA) issued a notice restricting the number of online deliveries residents can receive per day. The notice, shared on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), suggests residents limit deliveries to one or two parcels a day or hire a personal security guard to manage the influx of packages.
The decision was prompted by complaints from the society’s long-serving security guard, who reported that the high volume of parcels, particularly during the festive season, was affecting his ability to perform his regular duties. The guard, who has been employed at the society for seven years, expressed that handling deliveries, sharing OTPs with delivery partners, and coordinating with platforms like Swiggy and Ajio had become overwhelming.
“Our society watchman called for a meeting with the RWA members last night, raising concerns about the increasing number of parcels. He highlighted how this additional responsibility was disrupting his workflow,” the notice reads.
The society president added that one particular block, housing several bachelors, was receiving up to 15 deliveries per day. “We request everyone to limit their orders to 1-2 per day, or alternatively, hire a personal security guard to manage their deliveries,” the notice emphasized.
While some residents and social media users have described the measure as “reasonable,” others have criticized it as “crazy” and “ridiculous.”
One X user wrote, “There’s nothing wrong with the request. In a community living environment, we need to be more considerate. What if they just ask residents to collect their parcels at the gate?”
Another user questioned, “Who gets 10-15 parcels a day? That’s a reasonable limit.”
Others, however, found the situation bizarre. “Imagine hiring a security guard just for your online orders!” quipped one individual. Another commented, “Ridiculous! Security personnel should not be receiving residents’ personal packages.”
The notice has sparked wider discussions about the role of security guards in residential complexes, with some defending the restrictions as necessary and others dismissing them as excessive. “In India, we tend to overburden our security staff. They are not personal errand runners,” one user pointed out.
The viral nature of the notice has even prompted some to joke about it spreading to other societies. “I hope this doesn’t go viral on WhatsApp! My society management might get ideas,” said one concerned user.
The debate continues, reflecting the challenges faced by housing societies in managing the increased demands of online shopping, especially during busy seasons. Whether other societies will follow suit remains to be seen.
