Modi, others reduce convoy size as govt amplifies pitch for saving fuel

NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi travelled in a drastically trimmed-down convoy on Wednesday while many of his ministerial colleagues, including home minister Amit Shah and defence minister Rajnath Singh, downsized their carcade by more than half, with fleets of vehicles accompanying VIPs cut down as govt sent out the message that it is willing to practice what it preaches in line with Modi’s multiple suggestions to conserve fuel.

Modi’s convoy in the short route from his residence to his office Seva Teerth, where he chaired a cabinet meeting, had only 2 SUVs, a sharp reduction on over a dozen.



Shah, who faces highest level of threat after Modi, followed suit and his convoy was cut to more than half to four vehicles. as govt sought to amplify Modi’s appeal aimed at conserving forex reserves, a large part of which is used for crude oil import.

PM 'S Longer trips may necessitate a bigger carcade depending on security assessment by SPG, the elite security group which guards PM, of the situation on a case-by-case basis but Modi’s message is that he is cutting down on his fleet and that everyone should prioritise saving fuel, officials stressed.

Modi’s domestic tours outside Delhi recently had fewer than usual number of vehicles, with SPG working on his directions to reduce the convoy while sticking to its remit of maintaining essential security protocol.

Rajnath Singh’s cavalcade, too, had only four vehicles,

TOI has learnt that PM in the Cabinet meeting asked ministers to reduce fuel and vehicle usage. Soon after the meeting, road transport minister Nitin Gadkari announced that he would travel by “bus” along with officers, security personnel and others to inspect Palkhi Marg project in Maharashtra on Thursday and Friday. He also urged Maharashtra govt to reduce the convoy by 50%.

Railway minister Ashwini Vaishna also stopped using pilot vehicles and from Wednesday he is using only one car.

On cue, chief ministers of BJP-governed states and several governors implemented similar measures. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath asked his ministers to reduce their fleets by half and urged public representatives to use public transport once a week.

His Bihar counterpart Samrat Choudhary gave similar directions and emphasised the use for video conferences over physical meetings as BJP went in overdrive across the country to follow up on Modi’s appeal aimed at saving forex reserves due to the lingering tensions in West Asia, which has led to rally in crude prices..

With deferring foreign visits being one of the PM’s appeals to citizens, BJP govts in several states have stepped in to cancel overseas trips by lawmakers. In Maharashtra, a proposed study tour of Japan by legislators is likely to be called off.

CM Devendra Fadnavis, officials said, has asked ministers to seek prior approval from his office for flying govt aircraft to restrict non-essential air travel.

Gujarat governor Acharya Devvrat announced that he will travel within the state by trains and other modes of public transport instead of aircraft and choppers. He also reduced the size of his official convoy.

Even as Modi’s suggestions took concrete shape on the ground, govt was quick to emphasise that his appeal should not be taken as a call for austerity, which suggests budgetary cuts, lower subsidies and overall fiscal tightening.

Govt is not cutting capital expenditure, welfare spending, or subsidies, an official said, stressing that Modi’s appeal is not about spending less. “It is about spending more wisely by reducing fuel consumption, avoidable dependence on imported goods and foreign-currency-intensive services,” he said.

With India like many countries facing economic headwinds due to volatile oil prices and negative impact on trade due to the Iran conflict, govt is keen to dial down on the outbound flow of foreign currencies, prompting the PM to voice a host of suggestions.

Governing BJP has also fired instructions to its state units for similar measures amid some instances of party functionaries using large fleets of vehicles, drawing barbs from the opposition.

BJP president Nitin Nabin too had reduced his convoy.

Taking the lead, govt’s think tank NITI Aayog has ordered immediate cancellation of all planned in-person workshops, conferences, and seminars across its divisions. It has asked its teams to hold essential engagements through virtual mode.