Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday announced a series of measures, including two “work from home” (WFH) days for government offices, use of metro trains on Mondays by ministers and officers and a voluntary “vehicle-free day” every week, PTI reported.
Addressing a press conference attended by her cabinet colleagues, Gupta said the government has chalked out a large-scale plan under “Mera Bharat, Mera Yogdan” to implement Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for fuel efficiency and prudent spending. She said all government offices in Delhi will monitor WFH two days a week. The private sector will also be asked to follow it, she said.
Gupta said that on Monday, all ministers, officials and herself would travel by metro, while citizens would be asked to observe a week-long “car-free day”.
She also announced that all official foreign travel by ministers has been suspended for one year and there will be no major government events for the next three months. In addition, it said fuel quotas for government officials in Delhi have been reduced by 20 percent.
She also urged Delhiites to adopt car sharing or use public transport.
In a post on X late on Tuesday, Rekha Gupta said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon the citizens of the country to conserve petrol and diesel and make energy conservation a people’s movement, keeping in mind the current global situation. Internalizing this important call of Hon’ble Prime Minister Ji, a decision has been taken to limit the number of vehicles for ministry work. I, Jana, fellow MLAs, BLA public cabinet officials, Delhi government officials and all ministries will also be use the minimum number of vehicles as required and prioritize carpooling and public transport.
Gupta had earlier led a meeting with all ministers and senior government officials to discuss ways to conserve fuel and other resources amid global uncertainty over oil and gas supplies.
The chief minister also cut her carcade by 60 percent after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to spend wisely and conserve fuel in view of the war in West Asia.
The Chief Minister’s convoy now has only four vehicles, including two EVs.
Senior officials pedal, go to offices with fuel-efficient driving in UP
Senior officials in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday promoted green commuting by encouraging cycling and walking to work, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to reduce oil consumption and curb pollution.
At the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Principal Radha Krishan Dhiman cycled from his residence to the institute to set an example of sustainable transport, PTI reported.
He also urged faculty, staff and students to avoid unnecessary use of vehicles on campus and instead opt for walking or cycling whenever possible, according to an official statement.
On Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered an immediate 50 percent reduction in the number of official convoys across the state and called for greater use of public transport, virtual meetings and work-from-home arrangements as part of broader austerity measures.
