Kashmir Impulse Desk

New Delhi, May 13 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have reduced the size of their official convoys as part of a broader push to conserve fuel and curb avoidable government expenditure amid global energy supply concerns, official sources said on Wednesday.

The move follows PM Modi’s recent appeal for “wise spending” and lower fuel consumption in the wake of tensions in West Asia that have raised concerns over crude oil supplies and inflationary pressures.

According to official sources, the prime minister’s convoy was downsized during recent visits to Gujarat and Assam while maintaining all essential security arrangements mandated under Special Protection Group (SPG) protocols.

Sources said Modi also directed officials to include electric vehicles in official convoys wherever feasible without making additional purchases.

During a recent address in Hyderabad, Modi urged citizens to reduce petrol and diesel consumption, increase the use of public transport and electric vehicles, adopt carpooling and work-from-home practices where possible, and minimise unnecessary foreign travel.

The prime minister also advised cabinet ministers to reduce avoidable expenditure, including on fuel use and official travel, sources said.

Following the appeal, several Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states announced measures to reduce the use of official vehicles and promote fuel conservation.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a 50% reduction in the number of vehicles accompanying ministers and senior officials, while urging people to avoid unnecessary fuel consumption.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said his convoy would use the minimum number of vehicles required from a security perspective and appealed to ministers to follow similar practices.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced restrictions on the use of official vehicles by ministers and legislators and encouraged residents to use buses, metro rail services and carpooling.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma also directed officials and public representatives to minimise convoy sizes and avoid unnecessary vehicle use.

In Maharashtra, the government directed ministers to seek prior approval from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis before using aircraft for official travel.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat said he would use trains, buses and public transport for travel within the state instead of helicopters and flights.

Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi also cancelled a planned visit to the United States after Modi’s appeal to limit foreign travel.

On Wednesday, Amit Shah reduced the size of his own convoy by more than 50% while travelling to a cabinet meeting in New Delhi, according to officials familiar with the matter.

Officials said all mandatory vehicles required under the Central Reserve Police Force’s “Z+” security protocol remained part of the convoy despite the reduction.

The austerity push comes as India closely monitors the impact of rising global crude prices and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for oil supplies.

Officials said the measures were aimed at reducing avoidable fuel consumption and foreign exchange outflows and did not involve cuts to welfare spending, subsidies or capital expenditure.