India, Jan. 10 -- Over the last few months, delivery apps such as Zomato, Swiggy and Zepto have started doing a small, annoying thing. They add a fee. Rs.7 here. Rs.9 there. Sometimes they raise the minimum order for "free delivery". Sometimes they don't explain it at all.

Nothing seems to have changed. The warehouse is still nearby. The rider still shows up in 10 minutes. The app still insists this is "convenience".

So why does speed suddenly cost more? Because the cheapest input in India's digital economy is not labour or real estate. It is electricity. And that subsidy is ending.

Cost of convenience

Quick commerce works by compressing time. Groceries are stored closer to you. Orders are batched tightly. Delivery scooters are charge...