The Open Network for Digital Commerce expects transaction levels to increase seven to eight times by December next year on the back of diverse set of participants getting onboarded on the network. It will also focus on enabling consumers to buy multi-modal trips in the coming months. Mobility related transactions contribute nearly 40 per cent to the monthly transactions done through ONDC.

On Monday, a white paper released by ONDC estimates that open network models such as zero commission in the mobility sector could increase driver incomes by ₹1.36 lakh annually, which works out to be 30 per cent higher than current levels. This could add up to ₹20,475 crores annually for 15 lakh drivers across India, it added.

14.4 million transactions

Responding to businessline’s query at the launch of the white paper, T Koshy, MD , ONDC said, “Since last December to this December, transaction levels have increased more than three times, and we beleive that by next year, it will grow by seven to eight times. That’s our confidence. And we are trying to work on onboarding different kind of participants. In an unbundled framework, we are seeing very diverse kind of enterprises coming to bring more demand and supply.” In November, ONDC recorded 14.4 million transactions with over 40 per cent contribution of the mobility sector.

“Recently, Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform WAVES has also enabled shopping through ONDC in collaboration with CSC Grameen e-store. In the coming year, we believe that CSC with its village level enterprise network across the country will significantly contribute to growth of assisted commerce, which will enable taking digital commerce to the rural regions,” he added.

In terms of mobility, ONDC officials said that most of the large metros will be live on ONDC in the next 3-6 months that will expand the mobility pie of ONDC significantly. The Network in 2025 will also focus strongly on building multimodal journey experiences for the consumer.

Asked about the progress made in terms of launch of DigiHaat, launched by its subisidary Nirmit Bharat, he said, “We have about 40 buying application in the ecosystem. Out of which 20 of them have more than 1,000 transactions daily while 12 of them have more than 20,000 transactions daily. We wanted to focus on enhancing digital commerce accessibility for small businesses, which led us to launch DigiHaat through a netural entity. It will soon be made available to the public and we believe will play a key role in expanding the ONDC network.”

In terms of the mobility piece, nearly 5.5 lakh drivers are now associated with the mobility apps that transact through ONDC. “The inclusivity and interoperability of the open network has organically led to a zero-commission SaaS model as the predominant approach to mobility by the Network Participants. It increases consumer choice and provides numerous access and financial benefits,” the white paper stated.

“The ripple effects of this additional income are substantial. Drivers’ households are expected to spend more on better housing, education, healthcare, and nutritious food. This increased spending could stimulate local businesses and generate between ₹51,000 cr to ₹67,000 cr annually in additional economic activity, driving inclusive growth and strengthening local economies,” it added.