Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ordered a 50 per cent reduction in the size of his convoy and called for greater use of electric vehicles as part of a wider austerity and fuel-saving drive amid economic stress linked to the Iran war, sources told on Wednesday.
According to sources, the Special Protection Group (SPG) has been instructed to cut down the number of vehicles in the Prime Minister’s convoy, while ensuring that mandatory security protocols are not compromised. The SPG has already begun implementing the directions.
Sources also said PM Modi has asked for a greater use of electric vehicles in the convoy, while making it clear that no new vehicles should be purchased for the transition.
The move came days after PM Modi appealed to citizens to adopt austerity measures, including avoiding gold purchases for a year, postponing non-essential foreign travel and reducing fuel consumption, as India braces for the economic fallout of rising global oil prices.
Leading from the front on austerity measures, PM Modi has significantly reduced the size of his convoy during recent visits to states including Gujarat and Assam. The scaled-down convoys were seen in Vadodara and Guwahati soon after the Prime Minister’s austerity appeal at a rally in Hyderabad.
Sources said the reduction in vehicles was carried out while fully maintaining mandatory security requirements under SPG protocol.
The austerity drive is now being mirrored across governments and ministries. Several central ministries are said to be exploring fuel-saving measures. Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled states, including Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, have also directed reductions in their official convoys, per sources.
Union Minister CR Patil has also decided to stop using an escort vehicle as part of the effort, they further said.
Addressing a Telangana BJP rally in Hyderabad on Sunday, PM Modi urged people to adopt austerity measures to help the country tackle the economic impact of the Iran war and conserve foreign exchange reserves.
The Prime Minister called for reduced consumption of petrol and diesel, greater use of Metro rail services, carpooling, electric vehicles and railway parcel services, while also encouraging work-from-home practices wherever possible.
Stressing the need to protect foreign exchange reserves, he urged citizens to postpone gold purchases and non-essential foreign travel for a year. He also advocated lower consumption of edible oil, reduced dependence on chemical fertilisers, promotion of natural farming and greater use of swadeshi (local) products to strengthen self-reliance.
Emphasising that the Centre was trying to shield citizens from the fallout of the West Asia crisis, PM Modi said prudent fuel use and cost-cutting measures would help strengthen the economy during a period of global uncertainty.
