The Uttarakhand government has created an unprecedented fuel conservation and sustainability measure, with a 50% cut in the vehicles operated by the Chief Minister and the state ministers, and the establishment of a “No Vehicle Day” once a week. The relocation is meant to conserve fuel, cut down on government costs and encourage eco-friendly activities statewide.
The move has been made due to escalating fuel worries around the world and a push for the consumption of energy responsibly, Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister, said. The state government also attached the project to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for saving energy and reducing dependency on imported sources.
The new arrangements will reduce the number of cars used by the Chief Minister and ministers’ official motorcades by 50 per cent. Fuel-saving measures have also been advised in the day-to-day activities of government departments. One day per week will now be a “No Vehicle Day”, and officials and employees will be encouraged to refrain from using private and government vehicles whenever possible.
The government is also encouraging people to work from home and to hold virtual meetings instead of travelling. Video conferencing has been encouraged as an alternative to face-to-face meetings for departments. A “One Officer, One Vehicle” policy will be in place to prevent over-riding of government vehicles by officials from a variety of departments.
In addition to transport-related measures, the state has announced measures to save electricity in government offices. The use of air-conditioners will be controlled, and departments will be encouraged to use energy-efficient methods. The government will also enhance the use of renewable energy and encourage rooftop solar and biogas projects.
In another significant step towards sustainable mobility, Uttarakhand has recently announced that 50% of all the new government vehicles bought will be electric vehicles. The state government also intends to develop EV charging infrastructure in various districts to increase the use of electric mobility.
The campaign is part of a larger campaign to help promote sustainable development, decrease pollution, and lessen reliance on fuel, officials said. The Government is also encouraging domestic tourism and promoting local products to curb unnecessary spending and overseas travel.
The declaration has prompted a response as one of the more obvious government-driven fuel-saving campaigns over recent years. The measure has been well received by environmental groups and policy experts as a positive step toward fostering similar energy-sparing-mindedness among citizens.
The Uttarakhand government is likely to soon give detailed rules to the departments and officials for the implementation of the guidelines.
