Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday announced a series of austerity measures in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push for fuel conservation and energy efficiency amid global uncertainty and rising concerns over fuel dependence.As part of the measures, the Delhi government has reduced the official petrol and diesel quota for officers’ vehicles by 20 per cent, while ministers and officers have been directed to use the Metro every Monday. The government will also voluntarily observe a weekly ‘No Vehicle Day’.The chief minister further announced that no new vehicles would be purchased by the Delhi government for the next six months. Government offices will also implement work-from-home arrangements for two days a week wherever feasible, while departments have been asked to ensure minimum use of official vehicles.Addressing a press conference Gupta said, “Our departments have already cut down on fuel expenses with only the minimum vehicles needed being used, and public transport is being used wherever possible. Officials’ petrol limits of 200–250 litres per month have been reduced by 20%. Now it’s 160 to 200 litres. Every Monday will be ‘Metro Monday’.” In a major symbolic move, Rekha Gupta reduced her official motorcade by nearly 60 per cent, bringing it down to just four vehicles, including two electric vehicles (EVs), as part of efforts to promote sustainable mobility.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 prioritise 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.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 said the Delhi government, ministers, MLAs, officers and departments would use the minimum number of vehicles required and prioritise public transport and shared mobility.She also said the government remained committed to making energy conservation a mass movement and appealed to citizens to actively participate in the effort.
