To combat the economic fallout of the ongoing West Asia war, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated wide-ranging austerity and fuel-conservation efforts that are now being mirrored by several state governments and Union ministers. From reducing the convoy size to encouraging work-from-home policies and greater use of public transport, governments across the country are rolling out measures aimed at cutting fuel consumption and conserving resources. PM Modi has directed a 50 per cent reduction in the size of his convoy and called for increased use of electric vehicles. According to reports, the Special Protection Group (SPG) has been instructed to reduce the number of vehicles accompanying the PM while ensuring that all mandatory security protocols remain intact. The SPG has already begun implementing the instructions.
PM Modi’s Public Appeal For Austerity
The latest steps follow Prime Minister Modi’s recent public appeal urging citizens to adopt austerity measures to help reduce pressure on resources and foreign exchange reserves.
During his address, Modi asked citizens to avoid purchasing gold for a year, postpone non-essential foreign travel and reduce fuel consumption.
Leading by example, the Prime Minister has already scaled down his convoy during recent visits to Gujarat and Assam. Smaller convoys were seen in Vadodara and Guwahati shortly after his austerity appeal made at a rally in Hyderabad.
Amit Shah Downsizes His Convoy
Union Home Minister Amit Shah reduced the size of his convoy to less than half as part of efforts to promote efficient use of resources while maintaining mandatory security arrangements.
#WATCH | Delhi: Following Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi’s appeal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also downsized his convoy, reducing it to less than half.
Visuals of Union HM leaving his residence. pic.twitter.com/yQQgYGOIlu
— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2026
UP Government Announces Major Fuel-Saving Measures
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday announced a series of fuel-saving and cost-cutting initiatives across the state, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s appeal.
CM Adityanath urged citizens to reduce fuel consumption, use public transport and avoid unnecessary gold purchases. He stressed that Uttar Pradesh must contribute to national efforts aimed at conserving both resources and foreign exchange.
The Chief Minister issued the directions while chairing a high-level meeting attended by the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Additional Chief Secretaries and Principal Secretaries.
मुख्यमंत्री जी ने प्रदेश में ‘वर्क फ्रॉम होम’ (WFH) की संस्कृति को भी प्राथमिकता देने की अपील की। उन्होंने कहा कि जिन संस्थानों में बड़ी संख्या में कार्मिक कार्यरत हैं, उन्हें सप्ताह में दो दिन WFH की अनुशंसा के लिए राज्य स्तर पर एडवाइजरी जारी की जाए। राज्य सचिवालय/निदेशालय की 50…
— CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) May 12, 2026
Yogi Adityanath Announces 50% Cut In Official Fleets, Pushes For Work-From-Home
During the meeting, Adityanath directed a 50 per cent reduction in the vehicle fleets used by the Chief Minister’s Office, ministers and senior officials. He also ordered the removal of unnecessary vehicles from official convoys.
The Uttar Pradesh government has additionally been asked to prioritise work-from-home arrangements wherever possible.
The Chief Minister instructed departments to conduct meetings, seminars, conferences and workshops virtually in a bid to reduce travel and fuel usage.
Officials were also advised to adopt hybrid working models, with large workplaces encouraged to implement work-from-home arrangements for up to two days a week.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Directs To Minimise Convoy Size
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma directed that convoy vehicle use be minimised and unnecessary vehicles should not be used, especially for security purposes. He also instructed all officials and public representatives, including the Chief Secretary, to adopt similar practices.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has directed that convoy vehicle use be minimised and unnecessary vehicles should not be used, especially for security purposes. He has also instructed all officials and public representatives, including the Chief Secretary, to adopt… pic.twitter.com/wEJMPb2xGb
— IANS (@ians_india) May 12, 2026
Maharashtra Mandates Prior Approval For Aurcraft Usage
Following Prime Minister Modi’s appeal to conserve fuel, Maharashtra has mandated that state ministers obtain prior approval from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ office for government aircraft usage, to restrict non-essential air travel.
Gujarat Governor Says He Will Travel Public Transport
Gujarat Governor announced that he will travel within Gujarat using trains, ST buses and public transport instead of helicopters and flights, while also reducing the size of official convoys to save fuel. Gujarat Dy CM Harsh Sanghvi has cancelled his planned US trip, after PM Modi’s appeal for reducing foreign travel.
VIDEO | Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for ‘Economic Self-Reliance’, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat has taken a significant step towards fuel conservation and sustainable living. The Governor announced that he will travel within Gujarat using trains, ST buses… pic.twitter.com/1SzNqngQtU
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 12, 2026
MP CM Pledges To Reduce Fuel Consumption
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, in response to the call of the PM Modi, committed to reducing the consumption of petrol-diesel. He also urged people of the state to adopt public transport, saying that national interest is paramount.
“Until the next order, there will be a minimum number of vehicles in my cavalcade from a security perspective, and there will be no vehicle rallies during tours. All ministers will also use a minimum number of vehicles while traveling. At the same time, the newly appointed corporation-board officials will assume charge with simplicity,” he posted on X.
आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी के आह्वान पर मध्यप्रदेश राष्ट्रहित में पेट्रोल-डीजल की खपत कम करने के लिए संकल्पित है।
आगामी आदेश तक मेरे कारकेड में सुरक्षा की दृष्टि से न्यूनतम वाहन होंगे और भ्रमण के दौरान कोई वाहन रैली नहीं होगी। सभी मंत्रीगण भी यात्रा के समय न्यूनतम…
— Dr Mohan Yadav (@DrMohanYadav51) May 12, 2026
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Appeals For Carpooling, Public Transport
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also appealed to residents to increase the use of public transport and carpooling while reducing dependence on private vehicles.
In a post on X, Gupta wrote, “We appeal to the people of Delhi to make greater use of the metro, buses and public transport wherever possible, adopt carpooling and reduce unnecessary dependence on private vehicles.”
“In the spirit of Nation First, let us conserve fuel, act responsibly and fulfil our duty towards the nation during this time of global energy uncertainty and conflict,” she added.
माननीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी ने वर्तमान वैश्विक परिस्थितियों के मद्देनज़र देशवासियों से पेट्रोल-डीजल की बचत करने तथा ऊर्जा संरक्षण को जन आंदोलन बनाने का आह्वान किया है।
माननीय प्रधानमंत्री जी की इस महत्वपूर्ण अपील को आत्मसात करते हुए विभागीय कामकाज हेतु वाहनों की…
— Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) May 12, 2026
Bihar Dy CM To Follow PM Modi’s Austerity Appeal
Bihar deputy chief minister and senior JD (U) leader Vijay Kumar Chaudhary has announced that he has personally reduced the number of vehicles he uses by half and will undertake official travel only when necessary
Ministers Travel By Public Transport
The fuel-saving appeal has also prompted visible changes in the travel patterns of politicians and ministers.
Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood on Tuesday travelled by Delhi Metro and later took an e-rickshaw while visiting a school in east Delhi.
According to a statement, Sood travelled from INA to Karkardooma Court via the Delhi Metro and then used an e-rickshaw to reach CM Shri School in Surajmal Vihar, where he attended an interaction with heads of schools from Zones 1 and 2.
The minister said that departmental inspections usually involve three cars, leading to higher fuel consumption.
“We will use public transport until the situation gets better,” Sood said.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale also travelled by metro following Prime Minister Modi’s appeal to reduce petrol and diesel consumption and encourage public transport usage.
“Indian ranks 4th in economy. To stop it from sliding further the PM has appealed to reduce petrol, diesel usage, to not buy gold, to avoid unnecessary abroad travel,” Athawale said.
“I will try to use metro for commuting, and I’d request the mass to adhere to PM Modi’s appeal,” he added.
Also Read: Will There Be a Lockdown In India? PM Modi’s Second WFH Push In 2 Days Sparks Buzz
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
