Ministers take metro, buses after PM trims convoy; critics flag optics
Taking a cue from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, trimming his convoy, several Delhi ministers on Wednesday did away with official frills and travelled in Metro, e-rickshaw and DTC buses.
However, the larger question remains for how long the leaders will sustain this or whether opting for public transport is just for optics.
Also, the austerity drive to reduce fuel consumption will test Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s political mettle when she tightens the belt to cut down avoidable expenditure and directs the bureaucracy to do the same.
She has already announced limits on official vehicles used by ministers, MLAs and other public representatives. The chief minister also urged Delhi residents to adopt carpooling and make greater use of buses and metro services instead of private vehicles in view of the prevailing global energy supply uncertainty.
Several departments of the Delhi Government, including the PWD, water, and irrigation and flood control, started limiting the use of Government vehicles, asking officials to use public transport, electric vehicles (EVs) and car pooling to save fuel.
Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra travelled by the metro, saying the move was part of the Government’s effort to implement Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to reduce fuel consumption and promote energy conservation amid global economic uncertainty.
Sharing a video of his metro journey on social media platform X, Mishra wrote, “Following the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, Delhi’s CM Rekha Gupta ji and all ministers have begun implementation with resolve. I will use public transport or, only when necessary, a single Government vehicle. Today’s morning journey on the Delhi Metro.”
PWD minister Parvesh Sahib Singh also directed that virtual meetings be encouraged to cut down on avoidable travel.
The officers will also observe one day every week as ‘no car day’ and use public transport or car pooling, he directed. “In the PWD, and equally across the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), and irrigation and flood control, we are taking these directions in full spirit — not as a formality, but as a commitment,” he said.
From minimising vehicle use and promoting electric mobility to encouraging officers to travel together and hold virtual meetings.
A decision has also been taken that till further order, no officer will undertake foreign visits, whether official or personal, he added. The directions of the minister came into force with immediate effect.
The directions included minimum, need-based use of official vehicles, use of public transport, EVs, car pooling and speedy electrification of the vehicle fleet. During inspections, inaugurations and official events, officers will preferably travel together using EVs or pooled vehicles and public transport.
Education Minister Ashish Sood also used the Metro during an inspection visit earlier this week, while BJP MLA Harish Khurana announced that he would commute within his Moti Nagar constituency on an e-scooter.
Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh took a DTC bus from Vikaspuri to the Delhi Secretariat on Wednesday to promote public transport and engage with commuters. During his journey, he collected feedback from passengers and reviewed the public transport services.
North East Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said that he has switched to an electric car. “I also ensured that my staff car pooled instead of using separate vehicles,” he said.
The ministers’ post came a day after Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced a broader initiative aimed at reducing fuel use and encouraging public transport and carpooling among ministers, legislators and Government officials.