Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
With Delhi ministers swapping official convoys for Metro rides, buses and e-scooters, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday urged residents of the national capital to make public transport and carpooling part of their daily routine as part of a wider fuel conservation campaign.
Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to conserve petrol and diesel amid global uncertainties, the Delhi government has begun reducing the use of official vehicles and encouraging ministers, MLAs and officials to rely more on public transport.
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“Fuel conservation is not only an economic necessity but also a collective responsibility linked to national interest and environmental protection,” Gupta said.
The chief minister appealed to Delhi citizens to use Metro trains, buses and carpooling more frequently, saying the move would help reduce fuel consumption, traffic congestion and pollution in the city.
MINISTERS SWITCH TO METRO, BUSES AND E-SCOOTERS
Several ministers and BJP leaders were seen using public transport over the past two days as part of the campaign.
Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra travelled by Metro on Wednesday and said he would either use public transport or limit himself to a single official vehicle when necessary.
Education Minister Ashish Sood also travelled by Metro during an inspection visit earlier this week, while BJP MLA Harish Khurana announced he would use an e-scooter for movement within his constituency.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh took a DTC bus from Vikaspuri to the Delhi Secretariat, interacting with passengers and collecting feedback on bus services during the journey.
North East Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said he had shifted to an electric vehicle and encouraged his staff to carpool instead of using separate cars.
‘METRO AND BUSES CAN DRIVE CHANGE’
Highlighting Delhi’s public transport infrastructure, Rekha Gupta said the city already has one of the country’s strongest urban transit systems.
She said greater public participation was essential to achieving large national goals and added that the government was working to strengthen Metro integration, last-mile connectivity and eco-friendly transport systems.
According to the Delhi government, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation network spans 416 kilometres with 303 stations and operates more than 4,500 trips daily through 343 trains. The network currently serves over 65 lakh passengers every day across Delhi-NCR.
The government also said the Delhi Transport Corporation operates around 6,300 buses, including 4,538 electric buses. Delhi aims to increase the number of electric buses to 7,500 by the end of 2026 and further to 14,000 by 2028.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
