Moily rides the metro to conserve energy (pics)

New Delhi, Oct 10: In a bid to encourage saving fuel, Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily travelled to work by the Metro on Wednesday. In an interview earlier, he had said," Every Wednesday, I will use public transport. I have asked my official car to be lodged in the garage. I also ask my public sector companies to use public transport at least once a week." He repeated himself again in an interview before he embarked on a journey to office at 9:45 am.

It was just a few security men and a team of media persons who accompanied him, apart from the daily commuters who were pleasantly shocked to see a cabinet minister taking a ride with them. He looked as much like the rest, standing all through the 10-minute ride from the Race Course Road Metro station to his office, refusing to sit even when offered a seat by a co-passenger.

Following their leader, almost 200 staff members of the Ministry of Petroleum took public transport to office. IN fact, two senior ministers also cycled to office. "After three months, we will do an impact assessment survey to see if energy saving tactics have borne fruit. My target is to save $25 billion in forex," Moily said, hoping to see the beginning of a drive aiming to cut down India's crude oil import bill by $5 billion.

In the year 2012-13, India is reported to have imported $156.97 billion of crude oil products. However, the net import bill accounted for $98.14 billion as exports of petroleum products were accounted to the tune of $58.84 billion. Moreover, in the current financial year, India is expected to import 196 million tonnes of crude oil, which is higher by about 184.795 million tonnes in 2012-13.

Beginning the journey

Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily enters the Race Course Metro Station to catch a train for office in New Delhi on Wednesday. Moily who had promised for self-imposed austerity measure last month, took a Metro ride on Wednesday to office to save petrol.

A pledge taken and kept

Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily travels by a Metro train to reach office in an effort to save petrol in New Delhi on Wednesday. Moily had promised for self-imposed austerity measures last month.

Not a common scene

Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily travels by a Metro train to reach office in an effort to save petrol in New Delhi on Wednesday. Moily had promised for self-imposed austerity measures last month.

In New Delhi

Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily deboards a Metro train at Central Secretariat Station in New Delhi on Wednesday. Moily who had promised for self-imposed austerity measure last month took a Metro ride on Wednesday to office to save petrol.

Heading toward energy-conservation

Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily travels by a Metro train to office to save petrol in New Delhi on Wednesday. Moily had promised for self-imposed austerity measures last month.

Talking to passengers

Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily interacts with a passenger as he travels by a Metro train to office to save petrol in New Delhi on Wednesday. Moily had promised for self-imposed austerity measures last month.

At the Secretariat

Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily comes out of the Central Secretariat Station after travelling by a Metro train to save petrol in New Delhi on Wednesday.

A goal to reach

Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily comes out of the Central Secretariat Station after traveling by a Metro train to save petrol in New Delhi on Wednesday.

OneIndia News