New Delhi

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday unveiled a broad set of measures aimed at reducing pollution, easing traffic congestion and cutting fuel consumption in the national capital, including a two-day work-from-home policy, a weekly “Metro Monday,” restrictions on official foreign travel and an appeal for citizens to observe a weekly “No Vehicle Day.”

The announcements come in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal urging people to conserve fuel, adopt sustainable practices and support economic resilience amid global disruptions linked to the ongoing West Asia crisis.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Gupta said the government would implement measures at both administrative and private-sector levels to reduce fuel use and improve mobility.

“We are acting at two levels, government and private. In the Delhi government, there will be two days of work-from-home each week. The same advisory will go to private companies and institutions,” she said, adding that the Labour Department would monitor implementation.

She also appealed to educational institutions to conduct non-practical classes, guest lectures and administrative meetings online wherever possible. Courts were similarly urged to maximise virtual hearings to reduce transportation needs.

Announcing austerity measures, Gupta said no Delhi minister or government official would undertake official foreign visits for the next 12 months, resulting in the cancellation of 12 planned programmes. Large public events and conferences will also be avoided for the next three months.

The Delhi government will additionally halt purchases of new petrol, diesel, CNG and hybrid vehicles for six months. Departments have also been directed to reduce fuel usage, with official petrol allocations cut by 20 per cent.

Gupta said transport allowances for government staff in Grades 1-8 would increase by 10 per cent if at least one-fourth of the allowance is spent on public transport such as the metro. She also encouraged traders to shift freight movement from trucks to railways to save diesel fuel.

As part of public transport initiatives, 58 feeder buses will connect more than 29 government colonies to metro stations. The government has also directed that at least half of official meetings be conducted online through video conferencing.

“Every Monday will be ‘Metro Monday’. Ministers, senior officers and staff will commute by metro wherever possible,” Gupta said.

She further announced revised office timings, with Delhi government offices operating from 10:30 am to 7 pm, while Municipal Corporation of Delhi offices will function from 8:30 am to 5 pm.

Appealing directly to residents, Gupta urged Delhiites to voluntarily observe a weekly “No Vehicle Day” by leaving private cars at home and relying on public transport.

In a symbolic move aligned with the Centre’s fuel conservation push, the Chief Minister also reduced her official motorcade by nearly 60 per cent, limiting it to four vehicles.

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Earlier this week, Prime Minister Modi had urged citizens to reduce petrol and diesel consumption, avoid unnecessary foreign travel, adopt local products, increase work-from-home practices and embrace public transport and electric mobility as part of a wider national effort to conserve resources during global economic uncertainty.