New Delhi: All Delhi govt departments, excluding essential services, will implement a two-day work-from-home system every week to put into practice Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s recent appeal to conserve fuel. Govt on Thursday also imposed restrictions on foreign visits by its ministers and officials for the next one year.The announcement came alongside the launch of a 90-day public participation drive, Mera Bharat, Mera Yogdan, inspired by PM’s call, amid the West Asia crisis, to voluntarily reduce fuel consumption, specifically petrol and diesel, and reduce foreign spending.Various measures will be introduced from Friday to reduce fuel usage and ease urban congestion. Govt vehicles will see a 20% reduction in fuel entitlements, while govt will not buy any petrol, diesel, CNG or hybrid vehicle for the next six months.Govt will observe ‘Metro Monday’, encouraging ministers and employees to use public transport, particularly the Metro, at least once a week. Improving last-mile connectivity, 58 feeder buses will connect 29 govt residential colonies with nearby metro stations. People have been urged to voluntarily observe a weekly ‘No Vehicle Day’.Adopting staggered timings, Delhi govt offices will operate from 10.30am to 7pm, MCD offices from 8.30am to 5pm, and central govt offices from 9am to 5.30pm.Govt has also introduced incentives for employees using public transport. Grade-1 to Grade-8 staff spending at least 25% of their transport allowance on public transport will receive an additional 10% allowance. Logistics companies are being encouraged to shift freight movement from road to rail to reduce diesel consumption, said CMO.Govt has mandated that 50% of official meetings be conducted online. Domestic travel expenditure will be reduced by up to 20%. Educational institutions have been advised to conduct non-practical classes and administrative work online, where feasible, while courts have been requested to maximise virtual hearings.Even prescheduled trips of ministers and senior officials have been cancelled. Large govt conferences and events will be restricted for the next three months as part of the resource-saving measures.Promoting domestic industry, govt will introduce ‘Made in India’ sections in malls and supermarkets, and publish a verified list of Indian products to guide consumers. Official procurement will also prioritise indigenous goods. All govt office airconditioners will be set between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius, with sensors and master switches to prevent energy wastage.Chief minister Rekha Gupta said the 90-day campaign would actively involve schools, colleges, RWAs, women’s groups, corporates and civil society organisations. The initiative is not coercive, but a voluntary call for collective responsibility, she pointed out.“Every citizen has an opportunity to serve the nation through small but meaningful actions,” Gupta said, expressing confidence that Delhi residents would contribute to a more sustainable and self-reliant future.
