Delhi govt announces fuel-saving measures, staggered office timings amid oil price surge

The Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government has rolled out a series of austerity and energy-saving measures across departments on Friday, including staggered office timings, mandatory fuel cuts for official vehicles, work-from-home arrangements, and a “Metro Monday” initiative for government employees.

The measures, issued through a set of orders and advisories by the General Administration Department (GAD) of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD), come in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for fuel conservation amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia and the surge in international oil prices.

Staggered timings to ease traffic, save fuel

Under the new directives, all government offices under GNCTD, including field offices, will function from 10:30 am to 7 pm, while offices under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will operate from 8:30 am to 5 pm until further orders. The government said the staggered office timings are aimed at reducing traffic congestion during peak hours and lowering fuel wastage caused by traffic bottlenecks.

In another major move, the Delhi government has ordered departments to rationalise the use of official staff cars. All departments have been directed to ensure at least 20% savings in petrol consumption compared to the average fuel usage recorded between January and April 2026.

The fuel ceiling for official vehicles has also been lowered. Staff cars earlier entitled to 250 litres of fuel per month will now be restricted to 200 litres, while vehicles with a 200-litre quota will now be capped at 160 litres per month. Departments have also been asked to increase the use of electric vehicles for official work wherever possible.

Work from home, virtual meetings encouraged

The government has simultaneously advised departments, autonomous bodies, local bodies and PSUs under GNCTD to adopt work-from-home arrangements for employees twice a week, specifically on Wednesdays and Saturdays, wherever feasible. However, hospitals, electricity, water, sanitation and other emergency services have been exempted from the advisory.

To further curb fuel consumption, departments have been instructed to adopt virtual meetings, video conferencing and digital coordination mechanisms as the default mode for inter-departmental communication and routine reviews.

Additionally, under the newly launched “Metro Monday” initiative, ministers, MLAs, senior officers and government employees have been encouraged to use the Delhi Metro for commuting to offices every Monday, wherever feasible.

All GNCTD offices have been asked to take steps to prevent misuse of electricity and rationalise consumption by measures such as running air-conditioners at 24-26° C and optimal usage of natural light. 

Government servants and residents of Delhi have been advised to adopt carpooling and shared transportation services. Residents have also been encouraged to voluntarily observe one day in a week as “No Vehicle Day” by avoiding/minimising the use of private vehicles.   

The orders have been issued with immediate effect and circulated to all departments, constitutional offices and civic agencies across the national capital.