Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra on Wednesday, 20 May confirmed that the Delhi government has scaled up its work-from-home initiative to two days a week — Wednesdays and Saturdays — following the strong public response to the 'Metro Monday' campaign and in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to conserve fuel and promote sustainable urban mobility.

The Two-Day WFH Policy

Minister Mishra stated that Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has formally decided to implement the two-day work-from-home schedule for government employees and ministers. Mishra himself worked remotely on Wednesday, conducting most official engagements online. 'Following the appeal of the Prime Minister, the entire nation is standing together. The Chief Minister of Delhi has also taken a decision to implement work from home for two days a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays,' he said.

Chief Minister Gupta is reportedly managing official duties through the Jan Seva Kendra, while ministers and senior officials are holding the majority of their meetings through virtual platforms.

Metro Monday's Visible Impact

The 'Metro Monday' initiative — which encouraged residents to switch from private vehicles to public transport at least once a week — has drawn notably strong participation, according to Mishra. The surge in commuters prompted the Delhi Metro to increase the frequency of its trips, and the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) expanded its feeder services to accommodate demand.

'More people are actively taking part in this initiative, road traffic is also seen to be reduced, and it appears that gradually this is becoming a part of people's lifestyle,' Mishra said. This comes amid growing pressure on Delhi's administration to address chronic traffic congestion and air quality concerns in the capital.

Business Community Joins the Push

On Tuesday evening, Minister Mishra held a meeting with representatives of major business establishments and the Delhi chapter of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). 'Representatives from almost all major business institutions were present. During the meeting, they decided to include work from home and carpooling at their workplaces,' he said.

The private sector's buy-in is significant — a large portion of Delhi's peak-hour traffic is driven by office commuters, and corporate adoption of flexible work policies could amplify the impact of government-led measures.

Broader Context and What Comes Next

The Delhi government's push is part of a wider, nationally coordinated effort following Prime Minister Modi's appeal for fuel conservation and greater use of shared mobility. Notably, this is among the first instances of a state government institutionalising WFH as a regular, policy-backed practice rather than an emergency measure.

Whether the two-day schedule translates into measurable reductions in fuel consumption and vehicular emissions will depend on sustained compliance from both government and the private sector. Officials have indicated that the campaign is expected to deepen, with more businesses and institutions likely to be brought on board in the coming weeks.