New Delhi rolls out work-from-home, travel curbs to save fuel, cut pollution

Indian capital swaps traffic jams for remote workplaces in sweeping fuel-saving push

Traffic passes on a road as the sky is enveloped with smog after Delhi's air quality turned "severe" due to alarming air pollution, in New Delhi, India, Nov 18, 2024. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

New Delhi has announced two days of work-from-home per week for government employees and minimum use of vehicles to help conserve fuel amid rising global tensions, reports NDTV.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the decisions on Thursday as part of a series of austerity and pollution-control measures.

According to the Indian broadcaster, the measures follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to help save fuel.

The decisions will be effective from Friday.

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government will start a campaign "Mera Bharat Mera Yogdan" (My India, My Contribution) in New Delhi to promote fuel-saving measures and efficient governance.

Every Monday will be observed as "Monday Metro" when all ministers, officers, and employees will commute by metro, it says.

The government has also urged the public to observe one "No Vehicle Day" every week, saying there will be no new purchase of a petrol, diesel, or electric vehicle for the next six months.