When Ola And Uber Fail, Indian Jugaad Takes The Wheel: The Porter Chronicles

NO OLA, NO UBER! DON’T WORRY, PORTER IS HERE…

Ah, Bengaluru—also known as the city that never sleeps… because traffic doesn’t allow it. And if it’s not traffic keeping you awake, it’s the constant struggle of trying to hail a cab through Uber or Ola, both of which seem to develop mysterious “technical difficulties” the moment you need them the most. In fact, in this city, the act of getting a ride has become a high-stakes lottery.

But just when I thought nothing in Bengaluru could surprise me anymore, a commuter stepped up and said, “Hold my coffee, I’ve got this.”

Imagine: you’re running late for work, every Ola and Uber you summon refuses to come to your aid (because, you know, they are apparently too busy or just not in the mood), and the traffic gods have decided that you, my friend, are not allowed to get anywhere on time. What do you do? Well, if you’re an enterprising soul from Bengaluru, you get Porter—yes, the goods delivery app that’s meant for transporting stuff, not humans. That’s right, instead of waiting around for a cab that never arrives, you hop on a two-wheeler Porter and let your “driver” deliver YOU to your office.

Welcome to Bengaluru—where jugaad is not just a way of life, but an art form that even tech giants like Ola and Uber have yet to master.

The Life and Times of Pathik: The Porter Pioneer

On February 6, 2025, one brave soul, Pathik, faced the ultimate struggle of every Bengaluru commuter: the unavailability of an Uber or Ola ride. He, like many of us, was at the mercy of the app gods, summoning an Uber like an ancient prayer, only to be answered with a cold, indifferent “No rides available.” Desperate, he decided that waiting for a cab was clearly an outdated, first-world problem.

Instead, he opened the Porter app—which is typically used for delivering goods—and, just like that, he transformed into a “package” himself. Forget Uber, forget Ola—Pathik was going to Porter his way to work. Using the very app that usually helps you get your sofa, fridge, or that 7-pack of chairs to your doorstep, he decided to get transported to his office. And let’s just say, it was a revolutionary moment in the annals of Indian commuting history.

Now, if you’re thinking, “Wait… this sounds ridiculous,” let me stop you right there. This move wasn’t just about desperation; it was brilliant jugaad. The man turned a logistics app—designed for goods—into his personal ride-sharing service. He hopped on a two-wheeler, which, according to the apps’ intended use, was for transporting packages, and was taken to his destination. Genius, right?

His post, cheekily captioned, “Had to porter myself to office today because no Ola, no Uber,” quickly went viral, earning him the admiration of fellow commuters and a few raised eyebrows from people who suddenly thought, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

The Reality of Bengaluru Traffic: When Ola and Uber Just Can’t

Bengaluru is notorious for its traffic jams, which often make even a 5-kilometer commute feel like an arduous journey to the moon. So naturally, ride-hailing apps, which are supposed to make life easier, often end up adding to the chaos. Cabs become like rare Pokémon in this city—hard to find, and when you do, they’re either too far away or just simply “not available.” It’s like they have a mysterious “off day” when you need them the most. And don’t get me started on surge pricing. When the sun rises and the entire city wakes up, so does the surge pricing, and suddenly, your ₹200 ride is now worth ₹700.

In times like these, the idea of using a delivery app for your daily commute feels like a slap of brilliance. Forget about the usual hassle of booking a cab, bargaining with auto drivers, or getting stuck in endless queues. In an age where innovation is supposed to solve every problem, why not just hijack a system designed for goods delivery and make it your personal transport network? And that’s exactly what Pathik did. A few clicks on the Porter app, and he became the “package” everyone always forgets about.

Enter the Indian Jugaad: A Solution to Every Problem

Let’s be real: this moment is a testament to India’s deep, unapologetic love for jugaad. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, jugaad is the Indian way of solving problems through creativity, resourcefulness, and sheer determination—often involving a little bit of lateral thinking and a lot of duct tape. It’s an art form, really. It’s what keeps this country functioning, despite the chaos. And in the face of failed apps and broken systems, jugaad is what saves the day.

Sure, Pathik could have continued waiting for an Ola or Uber that would never show up. But instead, he did what every true Indian commuter would do: He adapted, and adapted fast. Why waste time? The system was broken. So he decided to hack the system. This wasn’t just a ride to work; it was a statement. And when Pathik got to his office, it was not just a victory over bad infrastructure—it was a victory over failure itself.

Bangalore’s public transportation system, despite being one of the most sophisticated in the country, still seems to need a little work. And this is where Indian jugaad shines—no one can complain for too long. We see a problem, we solve it. From using delivery apps to transport humans, to converting autorickshaws into makeshift cars with cushioned seats and charging points, this is the Indian way. We take a bad situation and turn it into a quirky, funny solution.

And let’s not forget, this is why Indians can fit anywhere. We’re adaptable. Whether it’s using a motorbike to haul bags of cement, or turning a food delivery app into a personal ride-sharing service, Indians can turn anything into a business, a solution, or a life hack.

Is Jugaad the Future of Indian Commuting?

Now, let’s be honest for a second: should we be relying on jugaad as our primary mode of transport? Absolutely not. But in the absence of reliable services, we make do with what we have, and this story shows us that when the established giants like Uber and Ola falter, we can find ways to turn lemons into lemonade.

This incident also poses a bigger question about the future of tech in India. Is it time for a massive shake-up in how we approach ride-hailing services? Is there space for a new, more reliable, and perhaps more flexible solution? Or are we destined to forever rely on our creative problem-solving to get us through the daily grind?

At The End: The Indian Spirit of Jugaad Wins Again

At the end of the day, Pathik’s story is both a cautionary tale about the limitations of current transportation systems and a triumphant celebration of the Indian spirit. Sure, he used an app that was never designed for human transportation, but isn’t that exactly what the Indian mindset does best? We break the system, make it work, and move forward. No fuss. No drama. Just pure, unadulterated jugaad.

So, the next time you’re stuck in a Bengaluru traffic jam, and your Uber or Ola refuses to show up, remember: you don’t need a cab. You need a little bit of creativity, and maybe, just maybe, a Porter.

Just another day in the land of infinite possibilities—and infinite traffic jams.