Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Thursday that government offices will implement mandatory work from home for two days per week and reduce automobile usage significantly. According to reports, the chief minister has cut her official carcade down to only four vehicles, representing an almost 60% reduction in the convoy structure. The redesigned convoy now consists of two electric vehicles (EVs) and two conventional vehicles, marking a significant shift toward sustainable and clean mobility for official travel. However, WFH will not apply to specific categories of professions including sanitation workers, hospital staff, electricity and water supply operational staff, and inspection staff.
Under the new guidelines, every government department in Delhi must switch to remote format for two days every week to reduce fuel consumption. As reported, at least 50% of all important government meetings must now be conducted virtually to minimize transit fuel usage. Government offices will now operate from 10:30 am to 7 pm, with Department heads shall ensure that employees commuting from faraway areas using personal vehicles shall preferably be included in the work-from-home list, according to the official circular. Official travel shall be undertaken only where operationally necessary, with departments encouraged to adopt digital communication, virtual inspections, online training programmes, and online consultations wherever feasible. The government has also planned more online meetings to save fuel and will observe a 'Metro Day' where all ministers, officers, and staff are required to use public transportation.
The government has implemented comprehensive travel restrictions, with no new petrol, diesel, CNG, or hybrid vehicles to be purchased for the next six months. According to reports, travel abroad is prohibited for the next year, with no Delhi government officer or minister permitted to travel abroad on official business. Domestic travel expenses have been cut by 20% of all departments. Employees will receive a 10% boost in their transportation allowance if they use 20% of their TA for metro, DTC, or public transport cards. The public has been urged to observe one 'No Vehicle Day' each week to support the fuel conservation initiative, with the government also appealing to people to follow a 'No Car Day' once every week to reduce overall fuel consumption.
The government has introduced 'Metro Mondays' where all ministers, officers, and staff are required to use public transportation. Designated shuttle buses shall ply from various NDMC colonies, with all employees mandatorily using the said shuttle service for commuting. To reduce electricity consumption, all government workplaces will have air conditioners set between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius. The government plans a 90-day awareness-raising effort to encourage citizens to save energy and contribute to national development. These measures align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to cut fuel usage amid escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia, rising crude oil prices, and pressure on India's foreign exchange reserves and currency markets.
