Sahil Barua Steps Down from Swiggy Board Amid Delhivery’s Ecom Express Acquisition and Strategic Shift
In a key development within India’s logistics and startup ecosystem, Sahil Barua, the Co-founder and CEO of Delhivery, has resigned from his position as an Independent Director on the Board of Swiggy. The move, officially announced by Swiggy through an exchange filing on Friday, comes at a crucial time when Delhivery is executing a major acquisition and doubling down on integration and expansion.
Barua, in a letter addressed to the Swiggy board, cited increased professional responsibilities at Delhivery as the primary reason for his resignation.
“Due to my increased professional commitments in my role as the Chief Executive Officer of Delhivery Limited, I find myself unable to dedicate the necessary time and attention required to fulfill my responsibilities as an Independent Director on your Board,” he wrote.
He added that stepping down would serve Swiggy’s best interests, enabling the company to bring in someone who could dedicate the necessary time and strategic focus. Barua’s resignation became effective on April 11, 2024.
Delhivery’s Bold Acquisition of Ecom Express
This leadership update closely follows a major shake-up in the Indian logistics sector. Just days earlier, Delhivery announced its acquisition of its rival Ecom Express in a slump sale deal worth ₹1,407 crore, signaling a decisive step toward consolidation in India’s last-mile delivery space.
The acquisition was executed at a staggering 80% discount from Ecom Express’s peak valuation. Notably, less than a year ago, Ecom Express had filed for an initial public offering (IPO) with an estimated valuation of ₹7,500 crore. However, the IPO was shelved, and the company began facing headwinds, including downsizing and loss of market share, ultimately leading to its acquisition by Delhivery.
This acquisition is expected to bring about significant network integration, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the utilization of the combined logistics infrastructure. Delhivery, already the largest third-party logistics company in India, is poised to leverage the synergies from this merger to gain deeper market penetration and optimize its delivery ecosystem.
Rapid Commerce: Delhivery’s Strategic Leap into the Future
In addition to traditional parcel logistics, Delhivery has been making aggressive moves into the quick commerce space. Earlier this year, it launched its proprietary format called "rapid commerce," which promises two-hour deliveries for D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) and ecommerce brands. This strategic shift is aligned with the increasing consumer demand for hyperlocal, fast-delivery services.
Delhivery’s rapid commerce initiative includes launching dark stores and micro-warehouses across India’s major metropolitan regions such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, and Ahmedabad. This infrastructure is tailored to enable instant fulfilment capabilities and position Delhivery as not just a logistics service provider but a commerce enabler.
The Bigger Picture: Leadership, Consolidation, and Innovation
Sahil Barua’s decision to relinquish his role on Swiggy’s board is reflective of the broader strategic reorientation underway at Delhivery. The company is now at the heart of a sector-defining moment—one that involves the integration of a competitor, operational transformation, and the pursuit of logistics-tech leadership in both B2B and consumer-facing supply chains.
While Swiggy continues to grow as a dominant player in food delivery and quick commerce, Barua’s exit makes room for a new independent director who can offer focused guidance aligned with Swiggy’s fast-paced, evolving strategy. At the same time, Delhivery is sharpening its competitive edge, transitioning from a logistics backend to a fulfilment-first ecosystem partner for India’s ecommerce revolution.
What This Means for India’s Startup and Logistics Ecosystem
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Market Consolidation: The Delhivery–Ecom Express deal could mark the beginning of deeper consolidation in India's fragmented logistics sector.
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IPO Watch: Delhivery’s sharpening focus may be part of renewed IPO plans or long-term public market strategy.
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Quick Commerce Race: With both Delhivery and Swiggy investing in hyperlocal delivery models, the competition for rapid fulfilment is heating up.
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Leadership Focus: Sahil Barua’s resignation underscores the growing complexity and responsibility tied to leading a high-growth company in a competitive space.
Stay tuned with IndyaStory for more exclusive insights into India’s startup economy, logistics transformation, and strategic moves shaping the future of commerce.
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