Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for fuel conservation by reducing his convoy to just five vehicles during a visit to Rajula town in Amreli district for the inauguration of the “Mahatma Gandhi Arogya Mandir.” This move aimed to cut unnecessary expenses and promote fuel-saving practices. Patel also scaled down his security and official convoy for the event, setting an example of simplicity and discouraging a “VVIP culture.”
The decision followed PM Modi’s plea to the public to curb petrol and diesel consumption, utilize public transport, and conserve foreign exchange reserves amid global fuel market uncertainties. Patel’s initiative received positive feedback from local residents and party workers present at the event, emphasizing the importance of adopting austerity measures. State officials, including Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, have also embraced similar practices by opting for trains, state transport buses, and public transport systems for official travel to address the fuel situation.
Moreover, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi canceled a planned trip to the United States in response to the Prime Minister’s call to minimize non-essential foreign travel. BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi have also taken steps to reduce the use of official vehicles and promote public transport. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a 50% cut in official vehicle fleets, while Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta are encouraging carpooling and public transport to support fuel conservation efforts.
