In a bid to conserve fuel, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Wednesday his decision to reduce the number of vehicles in his official convoy. After taking the oath as an MLA from Kolkata’s Bhabanipur, Adhikari informed the media about the directive he issued to the Directorate of Security, emphasizing that his movements should be accompanied only by the minimum number of vehicles necessary, eliminating any excess.
Adhikari attributed his decision to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recently addressed the nation with a message encouraging citizens to adopt austerity measures amid global economic uncertainties caused by rising crude oil prices due to the conflict in West Asia. “The Prime Minister has always set examples and shown us the way,” Adhikari stated, adding that while following these examples is not mandatory, those who believe in the necessity of such measures will choose to do so.
In his recent address, Prime Minister Modi urged Indians to embrace various cost-saving strategies, such as carpooling, utilizing public transport, working from home, reducing gold purchases, and limiting international travel. These measures are intended to help mitigate the impact of the global fuel price hike on the national economy. In response to this call, state government officials confirmed that all Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs and ministers in the region have committed to reducing the number of vehicles in their convoys.
Typically, the chief minister’s convoy in Kolkata consists of eight to ten cars. However, aligning with the newly implemented directive, Adhikari arrived at the state legislative assembly with a reduced convoy of five vehicles. This adjustment reflects a broader initiative among BJP leaders to support the Prime Minister’s call for fiscal prudence and resource conservation.