Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has significantly reduced the size of his official convoy during recent domestic visits as part of a broader push to promote austerity and conserve national resources. While the number of vehicles in the convoy has been cut, necessary security arrangements under SPG protocol remain unchanged, sources said.
The reduced convoy size was reportedly implemented soon after the Prime Minister’s speech in Hyderabad and later seen during his visits to Gujarat and Assam. Sources also revealed that PM Modi has directed officials to include electric vehicles in his convoy wherever feasible, without purchasing new vehicles for the purpose.
The move has now started reflecting in BJP-ruled states as well. Several chief ministers, including Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma, and Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav, have also decided to reduce the number of vehicles in their official convoys.
In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered an immediate 50 percent reduction in the size of convoys used by him and state ministers. Citing rising fuel consumption and global economic conditions, he instructed officials to eliminate unnecessary vehicles from convoys. He also urged citizens to reduce fuel usage, avoid unnecessary gold purchases, and use public transport more frequently.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav announced that his convoy has been reduced from 13 vehicles to eight. He stated that until further orders, only limited vehicles would be used during official tours and no vehicle rallies would accompany his visits.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has also directed officials to keep convoy sizes to a minimum and avoid unnecessary vehicle use to save fuel and reduce government expenditure.
The measures are being viewed as part of PM Modi’s larger appeal for resource conservation amid global economic uncertainty and rising crude oil prices linked to the ongoing Iran conflict. In a recent address, the Prime Minister called on citizens to adopt a responsible lifestyle, reduce unnecessary travel, support local products, and avoid excessive dependence on imports.
He also advised people to avoid non-essential gold purchases and overseas travel for a year in order to conserve foreign exchange reserves. PM Modi further encouraged citizens to promote domestic tourism and hold events such as weddings within India instead of opting for foreign destinations.
