A senior bureaucrat in Odisha's Ganjam district has set an example by cycling to his office instead of using his car, responding to the public appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to conserve fuel. This comes at a time when some fuel pumps in the region have imposed restrictions, limiting petrol sales to Rs 200 per two-wheeler.
Bureaucrat Leads by Example
Sweta Kumar Dash, the registrar of MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, stated, "Earlier, I drove my car to office. Now, I ride a bicycle to reach office." His initiative has inspired several postgraduate students and other officials to also switch from cars and motorbikes to bicycles.
Although there was no official directive mandating the use of bicycles, Dash noted that those following his lead considered it their duty to save fuel during the current crisis. He highlighted that a large number of people visit the medical college and hospital daily on motorcycles and scooters, and adopting bicycles could significantly reduce fuel consumption.
Environmental Benefits
Dash emphasized that this shift would also help reduce air pollution in the area, contributing to a cleaner environment. "We think medical staff and others who come to the medical college and hospital will use bicycles instead of motorcycles to save fuel," he added.
Fuel Shortage Hits Berhampur
Meanwhile, Berhampur, known as the silk city, is experiencing an acute shortage of both petrol and diesel. Commuters and transport operators are facing severe difficulties, with long queues becoming a common sight at the few functional fuel pumps.
Of the 20 filling stations in Berhampur, three have suspended operations. An owner of a filling station, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "The oil companies are supplying limited fuel even though we pay in advance. That's why we applied restrictions on sale."
Official Response
Sanjay Kumar Mallick, Assistant Civil Supply Officer (ACSO) of Berhampur, stated that they have reviewed the situation. "On Thursday, the situation is normal and we have not received any complaints about fuel pumps running dry," he added.
