SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has significantly reduced the size of his official convoy as part of broader austerity and fuel conservation measures amid the ongoing energy concerns linked to the situation in West Asia, according to News18.
The reduced convoy arrangement is being viewed as a model for states to follow. Sources told News18 that the change was implemented during the Prime Minister’s recent visits to Gujarat and Assam.
The move came shortly after the Prime Minister urged citizens to reduce petrol and diesel consumption, adopt work-from-home practices where possible, and avoid non-essential foreign travel in light of global energy uncertainties.
According to NDTV, the Prime Minister has also directed the Special Protection Group (SPG) to increase the use of electric vehicles within his convoy, while specifying that no new vehicles should be purchased for this purpose.
Officials said the Prime Minister has chosen to personally follow the measures he has recommended to the public, resulting in a noticeable reduction in the number of vehicles in his motorcade. The downsized convoy was first observed after his appeal during an event in Hyderabad and continued during subsequent visits to Vadodara and Guwahati.
Security arrangements, however, remain unchanged, with all SPG protocols and mandatory protection measures fully in place. Only the size of the accompanying vehicle fleet has been reduced.
Meanwhile, ministers in Maharashtra will now require prior approval from the Chief Minister’s Office to use government aircraft.
