Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed a reduction of his convoy vehicles as an austerity measure towards minimizing fuel consumption. By cutting down his own SPG (Special Protection Group) security entourage, his move nudged others in the government to follow.This came after the PM’s appeal for reduced fuel and gold consumption during a public rally in Hyderabad, amid concerns linked to the US-Iran war and rising energy costs. The number of vehicles in his convoy were significantly cut during his visits to Gujarat and Assam.Here are the other BJP ministers and leaders who followed suit:Union home minister Amit Shah downsized the number of vehicles in his convoy by less than half. Defence minister Rajnath Singh downsizes his convoy size to nearly half, following PM Modi’s appeal.Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has directed an immediate 50 percent reduction in the fleet of vehicles for the CM, ministers, and others. “MPs, MLAs, and public representatives should use public transport for one day a week,” he wrote on X. “The use of public transportation, cycling, carpooling, and electric vehicles should be encouraged.”Maharashtra mandated that state ministers must seek approval from chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’ office to use government aircraft, aiming to curb unnecessary air travel.Delhi CM Rekha Gupta also took the decision to limit number of vehicles used for departmental work. “I and all my Cabinet colleagues, all MLAs of the Bharatiya Janata Party, public representatives, officers of the Delhi government, and all departments will also use the minimum number of vehicles as required and prioritize carpooling and public transport,” she said.Mohan Yadav, the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, said his cavalcade will have the minimum number of vehicles required for security, and there will be no vehicle rallies during tours.Rajasthan chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has instructed all officials and public representatives, including the Chief Secretary, to minimize convoy vehicle use. “The focus is on reducing fuel consumption by avoiding unnecessary travel and promoting more economical use of petrol and diesel,” he said.Gujarat governor Acharya Devvrat has announced that he will travel within Gujarat using public transport like trains and ST (State Transport) buses; instead of helicopters and flights. He also reduced the size of his official convoys. An appeal has been made to universities, government officers and citizens across Gujarat to promote bicycles, electric vehicles, public transport, indigenous products and natural farming. Furthermore, Gujarat deputy chief minister Harsh Sanghavi cancelled his visit to the United States, citing the PM’s appeal to cut fuel usage and avoid non-essential foreign travel.Bihar deputy chief minister and senior JD (U) leader Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, and two other ministers, Leshi Singh and Sheela Mandal, have said that they would undertake measures for the same. “I have personally reduced the number of vehicles I use by half. I will undertake official travel only when necessary,” said Chaudhary.
