Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ordered the size of his convoy to be reduced by 50% as part of wider austerity and fuel-saving measures amid the US-Iran war, news agency ANI reported citing sources.
Sources said the Special Protection Group (SPG) – the elite security force that looks after the prime minister’s security – has been instructed to reduce the number of vehicles in PM Modi’s motorcade while ensuring that mandatory security protocols are not compromised.
Sources also said that PM Modi has asked for more use of electric vehicles in the convoy while making it clear that no new vehicles should be bought to avoid additional expenditure.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Modi made seven major appeals — austerity measures, so to speak — to ease India’s economic uncertainties stemming from a prolonged war in West Asia. These included saving petrol and diesel by using public transport and the metro; avoid buying gold for a year and limit foreign travel to conserve forex.
Several BJP leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, supported the Prime Minister’s call to save fuel. In a post on social media platform X, she wrote:
“Internalizing this important call of Hon’ble Prime Minister Ji, a decision has been taken to limit the number of vehicles for ministry work. I and all my cabinet colleagues, all Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs, public representatives, officers of the Delhi government and all ministries will also use the minimum number of vehicles as per requirement and prioritize carpooling and public transport.”
This is a developing story. Watch this space for more information on this news.
