Delhi CM scales down convoy, tells Opposition saving fuel no politics

Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s fuel conservation appeal, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta decided to limit her official convoy and prioritise the use of electric vehicles (EVs) and public transport.

Leading by example on Thursday, Rekha Gupta travelled to the convocation ceremony of Dr B. R. Ambedkar University with minimal security arrangements, using an EV.

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The move sent across a message not only on environmental protection but also on building a more responsible and sensitive administrative culture beyond conventional VIP practices.
Gupta said her convoy would now largely be restricted to four vehicles, and along with reducing the number of vehicles in her fleet, she directed ministers and government officials to give preference to Metro services, buses and electric vehicles for official duties.

She appealed to ministers, MLAs, officials and citizens to adopt public transport, carpooling and EVs wherever possible.
Attacking the Opposition, Gupta said it reflects ‘Vision’ and not ‘Failure,’ and in her response to the criticism over political convoys, Gupta said opposition had earlier demanded that the government implement such measures on its own first, which has been done today.

She questioned whether opposition leaders now have the courage to step out on the roads after giving up their attachment to luxury.
Accusing the Opposition of double standards, Gupta said their remarks describing such measures as “proof of failure” were politically motivated. “Saving petrol and promoting the use of indigenous resources is a matter of national policy, not politics,” she added.