Uttarakhand plans no-vehicle day, EV push and work-from-home reforms

The Uttarakhand Cabinet on Wednesday approved a set of measures aimed at reducing fuel consumption, promoting clean energy, and encouraging changes in public and administrative practices amid rising global economic pressures.
Chairing the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said global disruptions following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and tensions in West Asia have affected fuel supplies, food prices, and fertilizer costs. The state government said the new initiatives are intended to support energy conservation and reduce dependence on imported fuel.

Among the key decisions, the government will promote video conferencing for official meetings and encourage work-from-home arrangements in both government departments and the private sector. A weekly “No Vehicle Day” will also be introduced to reduce fuel use, while the number of vehicles in the Chief Minister’s and ministers’ convoys will be cut by half.

Government officers handling multiple departments will be restricted to using one official vehicle per day. The Transport Department has also been directed to improve public bus services and encourage greater use of public transport among employees.

The Cabinet also announced plans for a revised electric vehicle policy, under which 50 percent of new government vehicle purchases will be electric. Expansion of EV charging infrastructure across the state will be prioritised.

The government further decided to limit official foreign visits and promote domestic tourism under a “Visit My State” campaign focused on heritage, religious, rural, and eco-tourism circuits. Destination weddings and local product sales will also be encouraged through separate initiatives.

Additional measures include campaigns promoting low-oil diets, natural farming practices, rooftop solar installations, biogas use, and wider PNG connectivity. A high-powered committee headed by the Chief Secretary will fast-track approvals for mining, solar, and power projects within 60 days.

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