Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, BJP leaders take metro ride after PM Modi's call for fuel conservation
New Delhi, May 18
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta took a metro ride on Monday as part of the "Mera Bharat, Mera Yogdan" campaign, promoting the message of conservation at a time when fuel prices have become a politically sensitive issue.
During the journey, the Chief Minister was also seen interacting with fellow passengers and encouraging the use of public transport.
BJP MP from the North East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency, Manoj Tiwari, also travelled by metro following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to the nation to reduce fuel consumption. The MP appeared cheerful after getting a seat on the metro and remarked that the train was not very crowded.
Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood was also seen taking a metro ride in support of the fuel-saving initiative. He interacted with several passengers during the journey and urged citizens to adopt sustainable modes of transport.
In another step aimed at promoting eco-friendly transportation, parking charges for electric vehicles in Connaught Place have been reduced by 50 per cent. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari and NDMC Vice Chairperson Kuljeet Chahal distributed parking passes to encourage greater use of electric vehicles.
Speaking to IANS, Manoj Tiwari said, "We had the opportunity to interact with many people. One person said, 'We want to meet you,' and I invited him the next day. Some people shared that they travel by metro regularly. Their homes are around 500 to 600 metres from the metro station, so they walk to the station and continue their journey. Many of them frequently travel between Gurugram and Noida. It was a pleasure meeting all these people, and we also enjoyed the experience of travelling ourselves."
Meanwhile, NDMC Vice President Kuldeep Singh Chahal arrived at the Seva Teerth Metro Station in an electric auto-rickshaw in line with the Prime Minister's fuel-saving appeal. He also distributed passes offering a 50 per cent discount on parking for electric vehicles in Connaught Place.
Earlier, on May 11, PM Modi reiterated his appeal for reduced fuel consumption and greater use of public transport and electric vehicles. He also urged citizens to defer gold purchases amid the ongoing West Asia crisis, which has caused large-scale disruptions.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While I appreciate the gesture, let's be real — this is one day of symbolic metro ride. What we need is long-term policy: better last-mile connectivity, safer metro stations for women, and affordable fares. The EV parking discount is nice but only for those who already own EVs. The real middle class is stuck with petrol at ₹100+ per litre. 😔
"Mera Bharat, Mera Yogdan" — this is exactly the kind of campaign we need! 🇮🇳 Instead of just complaining about fuel prices, the message to reduce consumption is practical. Our metro system is world-class and every citizen should use it. I travel from Noida to Delhi everyday by metro and save both money and time. Well done to all leaders who participated!
I wish they would also address the actual fuel prices. Why should we reduce consumption when global crude prices have come down? This feels like a photo-op to distract from the real issue. But yes, using metro is still good advice regardless of politics. Let's see if this becomes a regular habit for our leaders or just a one-time media event 😒
I notice how Manoj Tiwari said, "A person said 'We want to meet you' and I invited him the next day." This is what public interaction should look like! Not behind bullet-proof cars with 20 security personnel. The electric auto-rickshaw arrival by NDMC Vice President is also a great example. Small steps like these build trust in governance. 🚇⚡
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