How does mumbai dabbawala system work?

• 24 June 2026
• by: dabbawala
• in: Dabbawala Knowledge Center
• note: no comments

How does mumbai dabbawala system work?

The Mumbai Dabbawala system works as follows:
1- The tiffin box (Dabba) is collected from home by Dabbawala in morning around 9 to 10 AM.
2- This way, a Dabbawala collects around 40 Dabbas.
3- In a team, around 20 to 25 Dabbawalas are there.
4- The tiffin boxes are taken to nearest railway station.
5- At the railway station, the tiffin boxes are sorted, based on the destination railway station.
6- At the destination station, the tiffin boxes are unloaded.
7- The tiffin boxes are sorted based to delivery area.
8- The tiffin box is delivered by Dabbawala to office by walking, on cycle or hand cart.
9- Dabbawala takes his own lunch.
10- Around 1 PM, Dabbawala collects empty tiffin box from customers.
11- Empty tiffin boxes are taken to nearest railway station.
12- The tiffin box is taken to original railway station.
13- The empty tiffin box is returned to customer home.