Outlook Business Desk
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens and public representatives to save fuel as the West Asia crisis increased concerns over global energy supplies. His appeal focused on responsible living, greater use of public transport and reducing unnecessary fuel consumption.
The Prime Minister first reduced his convoy size during visits to Gujarat and Assam. He also asked officials to include electric vehicles in his movement wherever possible without purchasing any new vehicles for the arrangement.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reduced his convoy by over 50% while heading for a Cabinet meeting in Delhi. Officials said his Z+ security arrangements and existing Standard Operating Procedures remained unchanged despite the smaller number of vehicles.
Union ministers Jagat Prakash Nadda and Rajnath Singh also reduced their convoy sizes after the Prime Minister’s appeal while continuing mandatory security arrangements during official travel.
While addressing a rally in Hyderabad, Narendra Modi said patriotism also means living responsibly during difficult times. He encouraged people to reduce fuel use through public transport, metro rail, carpooling, work-from-home practices and wider electric vehicle adoption.
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath ordered a 50% reduction in vehicles used by ministers and officials. He also suggested that ministers, Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assembly use public transport at least once a week.
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta said ministers and officials would use only the required number of vehicles while promoting carpooling and public transport. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis also mandated approval before ministers could use government aircraft.
Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai said the state had already reduced convoy vehicles and would gradually shift government transport towards electric vehicles. Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma also asked officials to avoid unnecessary convoy vehicles.
Several BJP leaders adopted similar measures after Modi’s appeal. Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat chose trains and public transport over flights while Bihar Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said he had reduced his convoy size and limited unnecessary travel.