NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled in a drastically trimmed-down convoy on Wednesday, while many of his ministerial colleagues, including Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, downsized their carcades by more than half. The government sent out a message that it is willing to practice what it preaches, in line with Modi's multiple suggestions to conserve fuel.
Modi's Reduced Convoy
Modi's convoy on the short route from his residence to his office at Seva Teerth, where he chaired a cabinet meeting, had only two SUVs—a sharp reduction from over a dozen vehicles typically used.
Ministers Follow Suit
Shah, who faces the highest level of threat after Modi, followed suit, and his convoy was cut to more than half, to four vehicles. The government sought to amplify Modi's appeal aimed at conserving forex reserves, a large part of which is used for crude oil import. Officials stressed that Modi's longer trips may necessitate a bigger carcade depending on security assessment by the Special Protection Group (SPG) on a case-by-case basis, but his message is clear: cutting down on his fleet and prioritising fuel saving.
Modi's domestic tours outside Delhi recently had fewer vehicles than usual, with the SPG working on his directions to reduce the convoy while maintaining essential security protocol. Rajnath Singh's cavalcade also had only four vehicles.
Cabinet Meeting and Ministerial Actions
TOI has learnt that the PM, in the cabinet meeting, asked ministers to reduce fuel and vehicle usage. Soon after, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced he would travel by bus, along with officers, security personnel, and others, to inspect the Palkhi Marg project in Maharashtra on Thursday and Friday. He also urged the Maharashtra government to reduce the convoy by 50%. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stopped using pilot vehicles and, from Wednesday, is using only one car.
State-Level Measures
On cue, chief ministers of BJP-governed states and several governors implemented similar measures. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath asked his ministers to reduce their fleets by half and urged public representatives to use public transport once a week. His Bihar counterpart, Samrat Choudhary, gave similar directions and emphasised the use of video conferences over physical meetings. The BJP went into overdrive across the country to follow up on Modi's appeal aimed at saving forex reserves due to lingering tensions in West Asia, which have led to a rally in crude prices.
Cancellation of Foreign Trips
With deferring foreign visits being one of the PM's appeals to citizens, BJP governments in several states have stepped in to cancel overseas trips by lawmakers. In Maharashtra, a proposed study tour of Japan by legislators is likely to be called off. CM Devendra Fadnavis, officials said, has asked ministers to seek prior approval from his office for flying government aircraft to restrict non-essential air travel. Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat announced that he will travel within the state by trains and other modes of public transport instead of aircraft and helicopters. He also reduced the size of his official convoy.
Government Clarification
Even as Modi's suggestions took concrete shape on the ground, the government was quick to emphasise that his appeal should not be taken as a call for austerity, which suggests budgetary cuts, lower subsidies, and overall fiscal tightening. The government is not cutting capital expenditure, welfare spending, or subsidies, an official said, stressing that Modi's appeal is not about spending less. “It is about spending more wisely by reducing fuel consumption, avoidable dependence on imported goods, and foreign-currency-intensive services,” he said.
With India, like many countries, facing economic headwinds due to volatile oil prices and negative impact on trade from the Iran conflict, the government is keen to dial down the outbound flow of foreign currencies, prompting the PM to voice a host of suggestions.
BJP's Internal Measures
The governing BJP has also issued instructions to its state units for similar measures, amid some instances of party functionaries using large fleets of vehicles, drawing barbs from the opposition. BJP President Nitin Nabin too had reduced his convoy. Taking the lead, the government's think tank NITI Aayog has ordered immediate cancellation of all planned in-person workshops, conferences, and seminars across its divisions. It has asked its teams to hold essential engagements through virtual mode.
