India’s capital has introduced a wide-ranging energy conservation plan aimed at reducing fuel consumption, as disruptions in global energy markets linked to the Middle East conflict continue to strain supply chains and raise costs.
As part of the 90-day programme announced on Thursday, the Delhi government has instructed that government employees work from home twice a week, wherever their duties allow remote operations. The move is intended to reduce daily travel and ease pressure on fuel demand in the city.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the initiative is part of a broader effort to curb official and private fuel usage, encouraging residents to rely more on public transport instead of private vehicles. She also proposed a weekly “no-vehicle day” for citizens as part of voluntary conservation efforts.
The measures come after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for reduced fuel consumption nationwide to help conserve foreign exchange reserves, as global energy prices rise due to disruptions in oil and gas flows, particularly following instability around the Strait of Hormuz.
India has so far avoided increasing retail petrol and diesel prices or introducing fuel rationing for consumers, though it has raised liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices, a key household cooking fuel, following supply disruptions.
Under the Delhi plan, large-scale government events will be suspended for three months, and official foreign travel will be halted for one year. The administration has also placed a six-month freeze on purchases of new petrol, diesel, CNG, and hybrid vehicles for government use.
Officials said the combined measures are designed to reduce fuel dependency, cut public expenditure on energy, and support broader national efforts to manage economic pressure caused by global energy instability.
The initiative reflects growing concerns over energy security, foreign exchange management, and rising transportation costs in the wake of ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting major global oil routes.
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