Delhi govt staff split over WFH, metro push after PM's fuel-saving call

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for oil conservation and restrained public spending amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, Delhi has rolled out an aggressive austerity and fuel-saving plan. But while the measures have found support among several government employees, field staff across departments said that the benefits of work-from-home and revised office timings may remain limited for them.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday announced a series of measures under the three-month "Mera Bharat, Mera Yogdan" campaign, including two days of work-from-home for Delhi government offices, mandatory Metro travel on Mondays for ministers and officers, and a voluntary weekly "no-vehicle day".

Starting Monday, the Delhi government will also observe "Metro Day", with ministers and senior officials commuting through the Delhi Metro to encourage greater use of public transport. The government has simultaneously ordered a 20 per cent reduction in petrol and diesel consumption for official vehicles.

The announcements have triggered mixed reactions among government employees, particularly between desk-based staff and employees whose duties require extensive field work.

A Delhi government officer posted at an office near ITO told India Today TV that the new policy had prompted him to abandon his daily car commute from Dasna in Uttar Pradesh. "I have now decided to switch to the metro after the government reduced fuel quotas for official vehicles, the officer, who travels nearly 40 kilometres to work every day, said.

He said the move would not only help save fuel but also reduce traffic congestion in the city, adding that "government employees using public transport would send a positive message to the public".

Another official, who commutes from Rohini to the Delhi Secretariat and Regional Transport Office, backed the work-from-home proposal and said remote working had already proven workable during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Most of my responsibilities involve meetings, coordination and communication, which can be handled effectively online. Digital systems now allow many government functions to be carried out remotely, helping save both commuting time and fuel," he said.

However, employees working in departments such as the Public Works Department, Delhi Jal Board, power, transport and education said the impact of the new measures would remain limited for field staff.

Officials in these departments said nearly 70 per cent of their work happens on the ground, while only a small portion is office-based, making work-from-home impractical in many cases.

A Delhi Jal Board officer said the government's initiative was well-intentioned but acknowledged that field employees would see little operational relief from the new policy.

"Duties linked to water supply, sewer maintenance, sanitation and repair work require physical presence in the field, often beginning early in the morning. While I have started using the metro after the fuel cut announcement, the revised office timings offer little advantage because field operations begin well before regular office hours," the officer said.

The Delhi government's broader push is aimed at reducing fuel consumption, cutting pollution and nudging residents towards greater use of public transport.

Under the measures announced by Rekha Gupta, Delhi government offices will function from 10.30 am to 7 pm, while MCD offices will operate from 8.30 am to 5 pm. At least 50 per cent of official meetings are also expected to be conducted through video conferencing.

The government has additionally cancelled official foreign visits by ministers and officers for one year and decided against hosting major government events over the next three months as part of the austerity drive.

Officials said the fuel quota for government vehicles has been reduced by 20 per cent, bringing petrol limits down from 250 litres to 200 litres and diesel limits from 200 litres to 160 litres. To encourage the use of public transport, the government has also increased travel allowance for employees by 10 per cent.

The Chief Minister has further reduced her own carcade by 60 per cent, aligning the state government’s measures with Prime Minister Modi’s appeal for fuel conservation and prudent expenditure.