Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Announces Curbs on Official Vehicle Use, Asks Ministers to Prioritise Carpooling

In a significant move aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national austerity appeal, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday announced curbs on official vehicle use for ministers, MLAs, public representatives, and government departments — and put herself under the same restrictions.

What Did CM Rekha Gupta Announce?

Posting on X (formerly Twitter), CM Gupta announced that her government would limit the number of vehicles used for departmental and official work. She, along with her Cabinet colleagues, BJP MLAs, public representatives, officers, and all Delhi government departments, will now minimise the use of official vehicles and prioritise carpooling and public transport.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon the citizens of the country to save petrol-diesel and make energy conservation a people’s movement, in view of the current global situation. In internalising this important appeal, a decision has been taken to limit the number of vehicles for departmental work.”

— CM Rekha Gupta, post on X

Key Measures Announced

• 60% reduction in official motorcade — CM Gupta’s convoy now comprises only four vehicles, two of which are electric vehicles (EVs).
• No new vehicle purchases — The Delhi government will not procure any new vehicles for the next six months.
• Two days of Work-From-Home — Government offices will implement two WFH days per week, effective immediately.
• Metro Mondays — Every Monday, all ministers and officers will commute to and from work exclusively via the Delhi Metro.
• Carpooling mandate — Ministers, MLAs, and officials are directed to carpool wherever convoy consolidation is feasible.

Why Now? The Context Behind the Move

The announcement follows PM Modi’s seven-point national appeal urging citizens to reinforce India’s economic resilience amid escalating West Asia tensions and volatile global fuel markets. PM Modi’s appeal included:

1. Prioritise work-from-home arrangements
2. Decrease petrol and diesel consumption
3. Avoid foreign travel for one year
4. Purchase domestic products
5. Reduce cooking oil usage
6. Shift toward natural farming
7. Limit gold acquisitions

The PM also specifically advocated for expanded Metro and public transport usage, carpooling when private vehicles are necessary, increased EV adoption, and railway usage for freight transport — setting the tone that Delhi’s government has now acted upon.

Delhi Residents Urged to Carpool

CM Gupta also extended the appeal to Delhi’s citizens, urging them to embrace carpooling and greater use of buses and Metro services instead of private vehicles.

“We appeal to the people of Delhi to make greater use of the Metro, buses and public transport wherever possible, adopt carpooling and reduce unnecessary dependence on private vehicles — in the spirit of ‘nation first’.”

— CM Rekha Gupta

Mera Bharat Mera Yogdan — A National Awareness Drive

Alongside the administrative measures, the Delhi government launched “Mera Bharat Mera Yogdan” — a public awareness initiative promoting energy conservation, responsible resource management, and reduced reliance on imported fuel. The campaign reinforces the message that every citizen’s small action contributes to national resilience.

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