Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta announced that the Lok Bhavan will adhere to fuel-saving guidelines recommended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This includes cutting vehicle numbers in half and observing ‘No Vehicle Day’ weekly. Gupta emphasized the importance of these measures due to potential fuel shortages stemming from the West Asia conflict.
Gupta highlighted that Pakistan faces high petrol and diesel prices, contrasting with India’s controlled rates. He stressed that the government’s directives aim to safeguard the nation’s future. At Himachal Lok Bhavan, vehicle usage has been reduced by half, with a commitment to abstain from using any vehicles one day a week, promoting public transport over private cars.
In a bid to conserve fuel, air travel within Himachal Pradesh will not involve helicopters, except for inter-state journeys. Gupta also mentioned that political convoys will operate with half the usual vehicles. Additionally, he plans to implement similar restrictions in colleges under his jurisdiction as Chancellor, urging vice-chancellors to comply.
The Governor has urged Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to instruct all MLAs to adopt these measures, emphasizing their role as public servants. Gupta drew parallels to previous crises like the Covid lockdown and demonetization, where PM Modi’s calls for action were crucial. He encouraged citizens to prioritize domestic travel and avoid imported goods to bolster the nation’s economy.
To raise awareness about fuel-saving initiatives, a program will be conducted in Shimla shortly, aiming to educate citizens on the importance of reducing fuel consumption.
