NEW DELHI, MAY 14 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has significantly reduced the size of his convoy days after urging citizens to cut fuel consumption and spend resources wisely amid the ongoing West Asia crisis.
According to official sources, the reduction in the Prime Minister’s convoy was implemented during his recent visits to Gujarat and Assam while maintaining essential security arrangements under SPG protocol. Modi also suggested including electric vehicles in his convoy wherever possible without making new purchases.
The Centre clarified that the Prime Minister’s appeal was not an austerity drive but a call for smarter spending by reducing fuel consumption, dependence on imported goods, and unnecessary foreign exchange outflows. Officials stressed that there would be no cuts in capital expenditure, welfare schemes, or subsidies.
Following Modi’s appeal, several BJP leaders and Chief Ministers announced similar steps to conserve fuel and reduce unnecessary expenditure.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reduced his official convoy size by half, while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a 50 per cent cut in the number of vehicles accompanying ministers and officials.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced minimal use of vehicles in official convoys and encouraged public transport usage. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta urged residents to adopt carpooling and use public transport more frequently.
Similar measures were announced by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat announced he would use trains and public transport instead of helicopters and flights, while Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi cancelled his planned visit to the United States following the Prime Minister’s appeal.
The Prime Minister had earlier suggested increased use of metro services, carpooling, electric vehicles, railway parcel transport, and work-from-home practices to conserve fuel and foreign exchange amid global energy supply uncertainty.
