CM-reduces-official-convoy-to-60-percent

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has reduced her official convoy size by around 60 per cent, with the carcade now comprising only four vehicles, including two Electric Vehicles (EVs), as part of a series of fuel-saving measures amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Officials said both Gupta and Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu used EVs on Thursday while operating with reduced security convoys. The move comes in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to citizens to support energy conservation and reduce fuel consumption.

In a post on X, Sandhu said he had once again experienced “the pulse of the city” through the Delhi Metro, describing it as an efficient and accessible mode of transport connecting millions every day.

“In my recent travels, I have found it to be the most efficient way to navigate our city while contributing to a sustainable environment,” he said. The LG also urged people to adopt public transport, carpooling and electric vehicles wherever possible, saying such collective efforts could strengthen energy security and help build a greener and cleaner Delhi for future generations.

The Chief Minister directed ministers and Government officials to give preference to electric vehicles, Metro services, and public transport for official work. In a symbolic gesture, the Chief Minister travelled to the 14th convocation ceremony of Dr BR Ambedkar University in an electric vehicle with minimal security arrangements.

The Delhi Government said the initiative aims to promote responsible governance, reduce fuel consumption, and encourage environmentally sustainable practices in public life. Officials said the decision also reflects an effort to move away from what the Government described as excessive VIP culture.

Addressing the issue, the Chief Minister said small individual efforts can collectively create a large impact on the country’s economy and environment.

The Government said public transport systems in Delhi and the NCR are capable of supporting such a shift. Delhi Metro and DTC bus services already connect major residential, commercial, and industrial areas across the city and surrounding regions. The latest move also comes amid a broader campaign by the Delhi Government to support fuel conservation measures in line with the Prime Minister’s public appeal.

The CM also used the occasion to respond to criticism from Opposition parties over the decision to scale down official convoys. She said Opposition leaders had earlier demanded that Governments themselves adopt such measures before appealing to the public.

The Delhi Government is expected to issue further guidelines to departments regarding reduced vehicle use and greater reliance on public transport and electric mobility systems in the coming weeks.