Delhi CM Rekha Gupta takes metro to push fuel savings campaign
The national Capital was in for a rare sight on Monday with decision-makers rubbing shoulders with commoners travelling by public transport for official chores. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and her cabinet colleagues opted for Metro and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC)buses. They did so following a call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reduce fuel consumption in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict.
Initiating the ‘Mera Bharat, Mera Yogdan’ campaign to promote public transport for fuel conservation and responsible citizenship, the Chief Minister boarded the metro at Kashmere Gate station like a common citizen, near her residence, and travelled to ITO station. She then took an electric feeder bus to the Delhi Secretariat, accompanied by Cabinet Ministers Parvesh Verma and Ravindra Indraj. While returning, she boarded a DTC bus to reach Delhi Gate and then took a Metro for Kashmere Gate.
The main objective of this campaign is to motivate Government officials and the general public to use public transport instead of private vehicles. However, the opposition termed it a political gimmick to divert attention from the recent hike in petrol, diesel and CNG and rising inflation.
Rekha Gupta began her day by walking from her residence to Lok Niwas to meet Lieutenant Governor Sardar Taranjit Singh Sandhu. She then travelled by electric car to Kashmere Gate Metro Station, took the metro to ITO.
During the journey, she interacted with the public, and sought feedback on their commuting experiences and suggestions for improving Delhi’s transportation system. After reaching ITO, the chief minister opted for the feeder bus service, using the Pink Saheli Card to travel to her office at the Delhi Secretariat. Delhi PWD minister Parvesh Sahib Singh accompanied the chief minister during the bus journey.
The impact of this Government initiative was evident across various Metro stations in Delhi-NCR. Major stations such as Rajiv Chowk, Kashmiri Gate, Central Secretariat and ITO recorded a significant increase in passenger volume.
The chief minister in her social media post, “Today is “Metro Monday” In view of the global fuel situation, at the call of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, the Delhi Government has decided that every Monday, priority will be given to public transport.
Today, I reached my office by metro and DTC bus. The modern network of the Delhi Metro, clean stations, punctual service, and seamless connectivity truly provide a world-class experience.
On the other hand, travelling in DTC’s electric buses is comfortable, safe, and environmentally friendly.”
Rekha Gupta added that the Delhi Government is leading by example through initiatives such as a two-day work-from-home policy, reduced use of Government vehicles, increased online meetings, and prioritising public transport.
Cabinet ministers Ashish Sood, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Kapil Mishra, Pankaj Singh also took the metro to reach their destinations.
Transport Minister Pankaj Singh travelled by Delhi Metro to Ram Krishna Ashram Marg station. Sirsa also used the metro to reach the Delhi Secretariat. Mishra travelled by Metro and feeder bus to the Delhi Secretariat.
Minister for Social Welfare, SC/ST/OBC Welfare, Cooperatives, and Elections, Ravinder Indraj Singh, travelled to the Delhi Secretariat by Metro and feeder bus.
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, along with NDMC Vice Chairperson Kuljeet Singh Chahal, travelled through public transport. Chahal and Tiwari first travelled in a shared e-Rickshaw to promote clean and convenient last-mile connectivity and thereafter boarded the Delhi Metro from Sewa Teerth to Rajiv Chowk Metro Station.
