Two days WFH, Metro Mondays Delhi govt among measures after PM’s appeal

The Delhi government on Thursday announced a set of sweeping fuel-conservation measures, including two days of mandatory work-from-home every week for government offices, curtailed official travel and staggered office timings as political leaders sought to align themselves with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for restraint in fuel use and public spending. However, this will not apply to the essential services.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday announced the measures, saying they were intended to reduce traffic congestion, lower fuel consumption and project what she described as a culture of administrative discipline at a time of growing concern over energy use and urban pollution in the capital.

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The Delhi government also urged private companies to adopt work-from-home arrangements wherever possible and instructed ministers and senior officials, employees to use the Delhi Metro on Mondays, wherever possible, under a new initiative branded “Metro Monday.”
Beginning immediately, government offices in Delhi will function under staggered schedules, with most departments operating from 10:30 am to 7 pm, while the Municipal Corporation of Delhi will work from 8:30 am to 5 pm.

Officials said the revised timings were designed to spread traffic flow across peak hours and reduce congestion on the city’s overburdened roads.
Gupta said the government would also reduce petrol allowances for officials by 20 per cent starting Friday. “All our ministers and officials will not go for official foreign visits for one year starting tomorrow,” she said, adding that planned government events had been canceled as part of the austerity effort.

The measures came a day after several ministers in the Delhi government reduced the number of vehicles in their convoys, a symbolic gesture meant to reinforce the administration’s public message on conservation and restraint.

The government also appealed to residents of the capital to voluntarily observe one “No-Vehicle Day” every week, as per the their convenience, framing the campaign as a civic effort rather than a regulatory mandate.

Departments, including the Public Works Department, the Delhi Jal Board and the irrigation and Flood Control Department, issued formal directives implementing the new policies, signalling that the measures are intended to move beyond political messaging into administrative practice.

Gupta said the private sector will also be given an advisory regarding two days work from home, wherever the work can be done through online mode, with the labour department to monitor the situation.

The CM announced that there will be no purchase of any new Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid, and CNG vehicle for the next six months in the Delhi government.
According to her, the target is to have at least 50 per cent of meetings through video conferencing across the secretariat and directorates.
She said courts will also be requested to promote having most of the hearings through online mode.

For the next one year, the Delhi government ministers and the officials will refrain from going on foreign country visits, while the government will hold lesser public events and conferences.

As part of Delhi’s campaign, the CM said the state invites people from the country to the city for tourism, and special tour will be planned for promoting tourism in the national capital.
A verified list of the made in India products such as those of of daily use and electronics will be prepared.

As per the 90 day sustained public campaign, “Mera Bharat Mera Yogdaan,” the citizens have been urged to use public transport, reduce non- necessary use of private vehicles, avoid purchasing non- essential gold, avoid excess use of edible oil, and to make use of made in India products wherever possible.