Delhi pushes Metro, WFH to cut fuel use

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday rolled out a host of measures, including Work From Home (WFH) for State Government employees for two days, online official meetings and a ban on ministers’ foreign visits for a year. Termed as Mera Bharat, Mera Yogdaan, the 90-day campaign is to be implemented from Friday, May 15 following an appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reduce fuel consumption in the backdrop of the ongoing West Asia conflict. Trimming the petrol allowance of officials, restrictions on purchasing new vehicles for Government departments and ministers and Government employees travelling by Metro once a week were some of the other major decisions announced by Gupta. Describing it as a ‘people’s movement led by the Delhi Government’, the CM said the campaign aims to involve both Government institutions and ordinary citizens in building a more self-reliant and resource-conscious India.

As regards, the measures, she said all Government departments will implement a two-day work-from-home system every week, except those engaged in essential public services such as fire services, hospitals, prison administration, public transport, electricity and water supply, among others. Private companies and institutions have also been advised to adopt a similar arrangement wherever feasible. To support implementation, the Labour Department will set up a single-window help desk and call centre to address operational issues, while the Government will also engage directly with large institutions and companies. Further the Government has cut official petrol allowances by up to 20 per cent. Vehicles earlier entitled to 200 litres of fuel will now receive 160 litres, while those with a 250-litre cap will now be restricted to 200 litres. The CM also announced that every Monday will now be observed as ‘Metro Monday’, under which ministers, senior officers and government employees will be encouraged to use the Metro and other forms of public transport as far as possible. In another significant announcement, Rekha Gupta said ministers and officers of the Delhi Government will not undertake any official foreign visits for the next one year. Some previously scheduled foreign programmes have also been cancelled. In addition, large government conferences and public events will remain restricted for the next three months. As part of energy-saving measures, all air conditioners in government offices will now be mandatorily set between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius.

Offices will also install sensors and master switches to prevent unnecessary electricity consumption. The chief minister has also cut down on her convoy by 60 per cent. Her convoy now has only four vehicles, including two EVs. Appealing directly to Delhi residents, the Chief Minister urged citizens to observe one ‘No Vehicle Day’ every week by voluntarily avoiding the use of private vehicles for a day. She also announced that the Delhi Government will not purchase any new petrol, diesel, CNG or hybrid vehicles for the next six months. To further encourage the use of public transport among employees, the government has introduced an incentive scheme for Grade-1 to Grade-8 staff and officers. Employees, who spend at least 25 per cent of their transport allowance on public transport, including Metro services, will receive an additional 10 per cent transport allowance from the government.