Prime Minister Narendra Modi has significantly reduced the size of his official motorcade. The move came days after he was fired for responsible fuel consumption. The reduction was made during his recent visits to Gujarat and Assam.
All basic Special Protection Group security protocols were maintained at all times. PM Modi also directed officials to include electric vehicles in his convoy whenever possible. No new purchases were made for this purpose.
The reduction of the convoy followed the Prime Minister’s address at the Telangana BJP rally in Hyderabad. There he delivered what were described as “seven challenges” to the nation.
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Government officials and leaders are reducing the size of convoys in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for responsible fuel consumption and cost-saving measures amid global energy uncertainty and disruption.
Measures include reducing the number of vehicles in official motorcades, encouraging the use of electric vehicles and carpooling, encouraging working from home and prioritizing public transport for business trips.
State governments such as Uttar Pradesh and Delhi are ordering major cuts to official vehicle fleets, urging ministers and officials to use public transport and encouraging virtual meetings and carpooling.
Prime Minister Modi’s Seven Challenges, which included reducing gasoline and diesel consumption, using electric vehicles, carpooling, and limiting foreign travel, directly inspired these conservation efforts by government officials and states.
No, all articles emphasize that basic Special Protection Group (SPG) security protocols are maintained throughout convoy downsizing.
He urged citizens to immediately reduce their consumption of petrol and diesel. He called for greater use of metro rail, carpooling and electric vehicles. He suggested using railways instead of road transport to transport parcels.
PM Modi has promoted work from home (WFH) arrangements to curb unnecessary commuting. He also asked citizens to limit foreign travel, avoid overseas weddings and limit gold purchases for a year. The aim, he said, was to preserve foreign exchange reserves amid global turmoil.
“Patriotism is not just about being willing to sacrifice your life at the border,” PM Modi said. “Nowadays it’s about living responsibly and fulfilling your responsibilities in everyday life.”
Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reduced the size of his convoy to less than half. All mandatory safety measures were maintained. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has also reduced his convoy by almost half. Both moves were a direct response to the prime minister’s seven appeals.
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Health Minister JP Nadda also reduced his convoy by almost half. Safety measures were fully maintained. Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari went further. During his visit to Maharashtra on 14-15 in May he decided to travel by bus. He ordered local authorities to reduce the number of convoys by 50%.
“It is imperative to reduce fuel consumption in the national interest,” Gadkari said.
Uttar Pradesh
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered an immediate 50% reduction in official vehicle fleets. The order applied to the Chief Minister, all ministers and government officials. He also urged ministers, MPs and MLAs to use public transport at least once a week.
Measures to promote WFH culture and virtual meetings have been announced. Ride-sharing, cycling and electric vehicles were encouraged across the state. Citizens were also urged to conserve electricity and support Prime Minister’s Surya Ghar programme.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak announced a 50% reduction in his own official fleet. “The national interest is paramount. Nothing is above it,” he said.
He also urged citizens to refrain from buying gold for a year. He urged people to reduce consumption of edible oil and halve the use of chemical fertilizers.
Greater acceptance of domestic products over foreign brands was encouraged. It was also proposed to limit foreign travel for one year to save foreign exchange.
Delhi
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced restrictions on the use of official vehicles by ministers and MLAs. She and her cabinet colleagues have pledged to use the minimum number of vehicles required. Carpooling and public transport were identified as priorities.
CM Gupta urged Delhi residents to use buses and metro instead of private vehicles. The call came at a time of prevailing global uncertainty over energy supplies.
Madhya Pradesh
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced the minimum number of vehicles in his convoy. He asked all ministers to follow suit.
Vehicle collisions have been suspended until further notice. He also appealed to citizens to use public transport more and more in their daily lives.
Rajasthan
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma ordered that the use of convoys be minimized across the board. Unnecessary vehicles, especially those deployed for security purposes, were to be avoided. The regulation applied to all officials and representatives of the public, including the Chief Secretary.
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Maharashtra
The Maharashtra government mandated the prior approval of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis before ministers could use government planes. A proposal to reduce ministerial convoys by almost 50% was seriously considered.
High-level meetings chaired by Fadnavis were held to review security and administrative aspects. An official announcement was expected after the review was completed.
Gujarat
Governor Acharya Devvrat has announced that he will travel in Gujarat by train, state transport buses and other public transport. Helicopters and flights would no longer be used for domestic travel.
Official convoys were also reduced in size. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi canceled his planned trip to the United States following Modi’s appeal to curb foreign travel.
Bihar
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary personally halved the number of vehicles in his fleet. He undertook to undertake business trips only in absolutely necessary cases.
Himachal Pradesh
Governor Kavinder Gupta declared Lok Bhawan a “Fuel Conservation Zone”. No official vehicle using imported fuel would run on Sunday. The governor has pledged to give up his official vehicle one day a week.
An electric vehicle or carpooling would be used instead. All official matches on Sunday will be conducted via video conference. His convoy was halved.
He also pledged not to use the state helicopter until the crisis in West Asia subsides. He wrote to the Himachal Pradesh government urging it to create standard operating procedures to save fuel.
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Jharkhand
Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar reduced his convoy to just 4 vehicles at Lok Bhawan. He urged all elected representatives and office bearers to avoid unnecessary vehicles.
“Let’s all become participants in this public awareness campaign to save energy,” he said.
Defense Minister Sanjay Seth also announced steps in the same direction. He urged all citizens to act in the national interest and support India’s journey towards self-reliance.
