Mumbai: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday morning rode a bike from his official residence Varsha to Vidhan Bhavan, with Information Technology Minister Ashish Shelar riding pillion. The CM drove a Royal Enfield bike owned by the Mumbai police department. His security detail followed closely on four other bikes.
Directives to reduce convoy
A day earlier, Fadnavis had issued directives to reduce his convoy along with those of his ministers and had asked his colleagues and bureaucrats to travel by public transport, including the metro, at least once a week. He arrived on the bike to attend the swearing-in ceremony of 10 newly-elected MLCs. From Vidhan Bhavan, he drove to Mantralaya again on the bike.
CM's statement on fuel conservation
“To ensure PM Modi’s appeal reaches everyone, I have made this effort. When we make such efforts, they create awareness among people. From Wednesday, we have reduced the size of our convoy, and I have insisted to the police that it should be reduced further. Discussions are still on. We have banned all foreign travel and wherever possible, we will save petrol/diesel,” Fadnavis said.
PM Modi's appeal amid West Asia crisis
In view of the West Asia crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to people to reduce the consumption of petrol/diesel and cooking oil, avoid travelling abroad and destination weddings abroad, and avoid purchasing gold for a year. Fadnavis said that for the next six months, the government will not organise any large events except for an event in Satara which is happening on Friday. “It was planned, and money has already been spent. Around Rs 10,000 crore funds will be transferred directly into the accounts of 25-30 lakh families under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Wherever possible we will try to save money,” he added.
Security concerns for CM's bike travel
On whether the CM travelling on a bike will be a regular feature, the Chief Minister's Office said that each time the CM travels on a bike or takes public transport, his security detail has to be kept in mind. “The CM’s security is paramount, so it cannot be said that it will be a regular feature,” an official said.
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