Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal in Hyderabad, urging citizens and leaders to conserve fuel and petroleum resources amid the ongoing global energy crisis, several political leaders across the country have begun taking concrete steps to reduce fuel consumption and promote energy efficiency.
Maharashtra govt orders cancellation of foreign tours
In Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday directed that all foreign tours of ministers and bureaucrats be cancelled.
The order also applies to previously approved and scheduled overseas visits, as part of a broader push towards austerity and resource conservation in governance.
Eknath Shinde, Uday Samant switch to electric vehicles
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has also joined the initiative by beginning to use an electric vehicle for official travel. In a similar move, Minister Uday Samant started commuting in an EV car from Wednesday and reached the Sahyadri Guest House within 10 minutes for an official meeting.
Delhi govt calls for public participation in energy saving
In the national capital, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta called upon citizens to make energy conservation a people’s movement. In a post on X, she said the Delhi government has decided to reduce the use of official vehicles, promote carpooling, and encourage public transport across departments, ministers, MLAs and officials.
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
She further emphasised that energy conservation is directly linked to national interest, urging Delhi residents to actively participate in reducing fuel consumption and adopting sustainable travel practices.
Rajnath Singh reduces convoy size in Delhi
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also responded to the appeal by reducing the number of vehicles in his official convoy during travel in Delhi, reflecting the Centre’s push for reduced fuel usage.
Delhi: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh left his residence with a reduced number of vehicles in his convoy, adhering to Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s appeal to reduce fuel consumption pic.twitter.com/6qZAa8B59G
— IANS (@ians_india) May 13, 2026
Uttar Pradesh announces work-from-home push and fleet cuts
In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a series of measures aimed at cutting fuel consumption, including promoting a work-from-home culture.
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
He also suggested that institutions with large staff strength adopt two days of WFH per week and encouraged virtual meetings for government departments.
The state government has also directed a 50 per cent reduction in official vehicle fleets used by ministers and senior officials.
Public representatives have been advised to use public transport once a week, while promoting cycling, carpooling and electric vehicles.
PM Modi reduces convoy size
At the national level, Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has reportedly reduced his convoy size by nearly 50 per cent, reinforcing the message of austerity and responsible energy use.
Ramdas Athawale travels by Mumbai Metro
Meanwhile, Union Minister of State Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday travelled from Vidhan Bhavan to BKC via Mumbai Metro, citing the Prime Minister’s appeal to conserve fuel and promote public transport.
He said India must focus on reducing fuel consumption and encouraged citizens to adopt metro travel, carpooling and other sustainable commuting options.
Nationwide push for fuel conservation gains momentum
The coordinated response from political leadership across states highlights a growing national push towards fuel conservation, reduced carbon footprint and increased reliance on public and electric transport systems.
Aaditya Thackeray questions EV push, calls for stronger public transport and clean energy support policy
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, in a post on X, criticised the government’s approach to electric mobility and energy policy, saying Maharashtra’s 2021 EV policy had mandated that ministers, government departments and urban local bodies procure or rent only electric vehicles from 2022 onwards.
Our 2021 EV policy had mandated that all ministers, all government departments and all urban local bodies that would need new cars from 2022 onwards would only rent/ purchase electric vehicles.
But when the government changed, this aspect of the policy was dumped.
More so, it…
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) May 13, 2026
He said the provision was later “dumped” after the change in government, adding that key supporting measures such as affordable electricity for EVs and a shift towards clean energy sources had also not been effectively implemented.
Thackeray further remarked that while some ministers and MLAs are now adopting electric vehicles, it appears to be done “overnight for photo ops,” questioning the broader inclusivity and sustainability of the initiative.
He also raised concerns about affordability and accessibility, asking whether public transport fares such as BEST bus tickets and metro fares would be reduced or subsidised to support wider adoption of green mobility among citizens.
Borivali MLA Sanjay Upadhyay travels to Chiplun via Tejas Express to save fuel
BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay, in a post on X, said that he and five others have travelled to Chiplun via the Tejas Express instead of using two private cars, responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for fuel conservation.
नमस्कार,
आज आम्ही ६ जण चिपळूणला प्रवासासाठी निघालो आहोत. रस्त्याने गेलो असतो तर २ गाड्या लागल्या असत्या, मात्र आदरणीय पंतप्रधान श्री @narendramodi जी यांच्या आवाहनाला प्रतिसाद देत आम्ही तेजस एक्सप्रेसने प्रवास करण्याचा निर्णय घेतला.
यामुळे वेळेची बचत होईलच, शिवाय पेट्रोलचीही… pic.twitter.com/bbuPjlHFPn
— Sanjay Upadhyay (@SanjayRupadhyay) May 13, 2026
He said the decision helped save both time and fuel, adding that such small steps can contribute to national welfare.
Upadhyay further stated that he plans to increase the use of public transport such as local trains, metro, railways and buses, and reduce dependency on private vehicles wherever possible.
He also said he intends to travel by train twice a week as part of his commitment to supporting the initiative.
He urged citizens to opt for public transport whenever possible in order to contribute to fuel savings and strengthen the country’s transport system.
