‘Metro Monday’: Delhi CM, cabinet ministers travel to secretariat by Metro

Leading the Delhi government’s sweeping fuel-conservation measures by example, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and her cabinet colleagues on Monday travelled by Metro before taking a connecting DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation) bus ride to the secretariat.

Rekha Gupta, along with Social Welfare Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh, boarded a Metro train from Kashmere Gate for ITO. At ITO, they were accompanied by PWD Minister Parvesh Verma to the secretariate on a feeder, sending out a strong message to use public transport as part of the ‘Mera Bharat Mera Yogdan’ campaign.

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Following an appeal by the chief minister, all the cabinet ministers and senior government officials started travelling by Metro and DTC buses to commute to offices.
The CM appealed to the people to maximise the use of public transport, stating that it would help save fuel and thereby contribute to the national capital’s fight against pollution.

Gupta began her day spreading the message about the campaign. She, initially, walked from her residence to Lok Niwas and attended a meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu. Following the meeting, she travelled to Kashmere Gate Metro Station using an electric car, while her convoy had already been reduced with a priority to EVs.
She said her government is setting an example by undertaking several major initiatives, including work-from-home arrangement for two days in a week, reduced use of government vehicles, promotion of online meetings, and maximum use of public transport. According to her, greater use of the Metro and DTC buses will not only help save fuel but will also play an effective role in reducing traffic congestion and pollution.
The measures also include curtailed official travel and staggered office timings, as the Delhi government is making efforts to align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for restraint in fuel use and public spending.

The Delhi government has also urged private companies to adopt work-from-home arrangements where possible.

Gupta said the ‘Mera Bharat, Mera Yogdan’ campaign is not merely a government initiative, but a movement for public participation to convey to every citizen that even a small effort made in the national interest plays a significant role in strengthening the country’s energy security, environmental protection and economic balance.
After attending a program at Shri School at Raj Niwas Marg, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood took an E-rickshaw to the Civil Lines Metro Station before taking a metro to ITO, following which he boarded a shuttle bus to reach the Delhi Secretariat.
The labour minister Kapil Mishra also used Metro feeder bus service and then the Metro on Monday to encourage public to make the most of the public transport.