In a significant move to curb fuel consumption and protect India's foreign exchange reserves, the Delhi government has introduced a series of new directives. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta confirmed on Thursday that all government offices, along with private companies and institutions, will be advised to observe a two-day work-from-home schedule each week.
Government Officials Face Travel Restrictions and Quota Cuts
A key component of the new policy is a one-year prohibition on foreign tours for all Delhi government officials. This measure directly responds to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent appeal for citizens to reduce non-essential foreign travel and postpone gold purchases to bolster the nation's financial stability.
Further tightening controls, the Delhi government will slash the official petrol and diesel quota for officers' vehicles by 20 percent. To promote public transport, 58 special buses will operate across 29 government colonies for staff, and all ministers will utilize the metro on Mondays. Additionally, the government will not acquire any new vehicles for the next six months.
Operational Changes and Public Campaigns
To alleviate traffic congestion and further reduce fuel use during peak hours, the Delhi government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will implement changes to office timings. Approximately 50 percent of all Delhi government meetings are also slated to transition to virtual formats.
The Labour Department will oversee the implementation of the work-from-home advisory. Beyond these governmental mandates, the Delhi administration plans to launch a broad public campaign, urging residents to actively contribute to fuel saving and responsible consumption. This initiative builds on previous appeals by CM Gupta for ministers, MLAs, and officials to minimize vehicle use, promote carpooling, and prioritize metro and bus travel.