PM Modi cuts down his convoy by 50% after call to conserve fuel amid US-Iran war

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi has directed that the size of his convoy be reduced by 50% as part of the wider austerity and fuel-saving measures amid the US-Iran war, ANI reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

Sources said that the Special Protection Group (SPG) — the elite security corps that looks after the Prime Minister's security — has been instructed to cut down the number of vehicles in PM Modi's convoy while ensuring that mandatory security protocols are not compromised.

Sources also said Modi has asked for a greater use of electric vehicles (EVs) in the convoy, while making it clear that no new vehicles should be purchased to avoid additional expenditure.

Downsizing of the prime minister's convoy was implemented during his recent domestic visits, official sources told PTI. Modi's convoy size was cut in Gujarat and Assam immediately after his speech in Hyderabad.

Earlier this week, Modi had made seven big appeals, austerity measures so to speak, to cushion India from the economic uncertainties arising from the prolonged West Asia war. These included conserving petrol and diesel by using public transport and metro; avoiding purchasing gold for a year, and restricting foreign travel to conserve forex.

BJP leaders back Modi's austerity push after backlash

Several BJP leaders, including Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta, backed Modi's call to save fuel. In a post on social media platform X, she wrote:

“In internalising this important appeal of Hon'ble Prime Minister ji, a decision has been taken to limit the number of vehicles for departmental work. All my cabinet colleagues and I, all MLAs of the Bharatiya Janata Party, public representatives, officers of the Delhi government, and all departments will also use the minimum number of vehicles as per requirement and prioritise carpooling and public transport.”

On 12 May, the opposition Congress in Madhya Pradesh slammed the BJP after its leaders, newly appointed to state corporations, arrived in large convoys despite Modi's appeal to reduce fuel consumption.

The state government recently made political appointments to various corporations and boards.

Saubhagya Singh Thakur, appointed as chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Textbook Corporation, arrived in Bhopal from Ujjain on Monday with his supporters to take charge of the post. Videos of his convoy, consisting of several vehicles, went viral.

Similarly, Rakesh Singh Jadon, appointed as vice president of the Khadi Village Industries Board, also arrived with a large convoy from Vidisha.

State Congress President Jitu Patwari said, "PM Modi should first follow his own message and ensure that BJP leaders also follow it. Crores of rupees worth of petrol and diesel were spent on his roadshow yesterday. 40 chartered planes are being sent for the BJP leaders and chief ministers to attend the swearing-in ceremony in Assam. Why is the prime minister's message only for the public?"

The war in West Asia has caused more harm to India than to Iran and the United States, and the Indian rupee is continuously weakening against the dollar, he said, blaming the union government for the situation.

State BJP secretary Rajneesh Agarwal said, "Everyone is making efforts to follow the prime minister's appeal. If there have been any shortcomings, they are being rectified. All of them (party leaders) have been urged to follow the prime minister's instructions."