New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday announced a series of austerity measures aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's push for fuel conservation and energy efficiency amid global uncertainty and rising concerns over fuel dependence.
Key Measures Announced
As part of the measures, the Delhi government has reduced the official petrol and diesel quota for officers' vehicles by 20 percent. Additionally, ministers and officers have been directed to use the Metro every Monday. The government will also voluntarily observe a weekly 'No Vehicle Day'.
Vehicle Purchase and Work-from-Home
The chief minister further announced that no new vehicles would be purchased by the Delhi government for the next six months. Government offices will implement work-from-home arrangements for two days a week wherever feasible, while departments have been asked to ensure minimum use of official vehicles.
Symbolic Reduction in Motorcade
In a major symbolic move, Rekha Gupta reduced her official motorcade by nearly 60 percent, bringing it down to just four vehicles, including two electric vehicles (EVs), as part of efforts to promote sustainable mobility.
Context and Background
The announcements come days after PM Modi made seven public appeals urging citizens to reduce dependence on imported fuel and adopt environmentally responsible practices amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. Addressing a gathering in Secunderabad earlier this week, PM Modi urged citizens to prioritize work from home, reduce petrol and diesel consumption, use public transport and carpooling, increase adoption of electric vehicles, and prefer railways for transportation of goods.
Appeal to Citizens
Echoing the Prime Minister's message, Rekha Gupta urged Delhi residents to use public transport and adopt carpooling wherever possible. In a post on X, Gupta stated that the Delhi government, ministers, MLAs, officers, and departments would use the minimum number of vehicles required and prioritize public transport and shared mobility. She also emphasized the government's commitment to making energy conservation a mass movement and appealed to citizens to actively participate in the effort.
