Austerity mode on: India Inc turns to WFH, EVs

BENGALURU/MUMBAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for austerity measures to reduce fuel consumption and conserve foreign exchange is beginning to ripple through corporate India, prompting companies and industry bodies to revive work-from-home policies, curb travel and push greener logistics initiatives.

The shift marks a significant change in corporate messaging after several large companies spent the past two years calling employees back to offices and tightening attendance mandates. Now, amid rising global energy prices and growing concerns over India’s import bill following tensions in West Asia, firms are increasingly positioning remote work and reduced travel as measures linked to efficiency, sustainability and resource conservation.

RPG Group chairman Harsh Goenka this week asked employees to reduce domestic and international travel, maximise virtual meetings and encourage workfrom-home as part of what he described as “responsible resource utilisation.” The group also encouraged greater use of electric vehicles, carpooling and public transport.

At Shaadi.com, founder Anupam Mittal said the company would now observe Wednesdays as a work-from-home day, estimating that one remote workday for 500 employees could save nearly 30,000 litres of petrol annually. Responding to criticism around productivity, Mittal said the move “might actually work better” by giving employees a mid-week break from commuting.

Hindustan Unilever (HUL) said that it has transitioned more than 97% of energy used in its operations to renewable energy and is scaling up the use of EVs in supply chain network through strategic partnerships. “We believe the Indian economy is resilient and these proactive measures will help us navigate the current times and continue on the growth path,” said a company spokesperson, adding that it already has a hybrid work model in place.

Consumer goods maker Marico said it would allow employees in eligible roles to work remotely on Wednesdays starting next week, while also encouraging virtual meetings and reducing non-essential travel. According to chief human resources officer, Amit Prakash, the attempt is to balance responsible resource utilisation with business continuity.

Industry bodies are also responding. Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (Credai) shifted its annual convention from Amsterdam to India, citing PM Modi’s appeal.

Meanwhile, Dabur India said it is accelerating the use of EVs and rail transport across its supply chain. The company has already deployed 40-50 EVs across operations and recorded a three-fold increase in rail utilisation, according to supply chain head Samrat Sehgal.
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