Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, May 17: The Delhi Government has advised private companies and organisations in the national capital to implement a two-day work-from-home policy every week and encourage employees to use public transport and carpooling as part of fuel conservation measures amid prevailing global uncertainties.
The advisory, issued by the Delhi labour department on Sunday, also suggested staggered office timings to reduce peak-hour traffic congestion and minimise fuel consumption in the city.
However, private establishments engaged in essential and emergency services, including hospitals, health institutions, electricity, water supply, sanitation and municipal services, have been exempted from the advisory.
The move comes days after Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the 90-day ‘Mera Bharat, Mera Yogdan’ fuel-saving campaign. The campaign mandates two-day work-from-home arrangements for Delhi government employees and promotes the use of public transport.
The Chief Minister had stated that the private sector would also be encouraged to support the fuel-saving initiative in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for prudent use of resources.
According to the labour department, commuting to and from offices is among the biggest contributors to daily fuel consumption in Delhi. The advisory noted that work-from-home arrangements had already proven effective during the COVID-19 pandemic and GRAP-related restrictions.
“In order to contribute to national fuel conservation efforts, all employers of industrial establishments, factories, shops and commercial establishments in Delhi, including IT and IT Enabled Services (ITES), are strongly encouraged to implement a minimum of two days of work-from-home per week,” the advisory stated.
The department also recommended replacing physical meetings with virtual sessions, reducing the use of official vehicles for non-essential travel, and strengthening IT infrastructure to facilitate smooth work-from-home operations.
Private organisations have additionally been urged to sensitise employees about the importance of fuel conservation and encourage conscious commuting practices, including the use of public transport, carpooling, and non-motorised travel options.
The advisory also called on organisations to support the domestic economy by promoting the purchase of Indian-made products.