PM Modi Orders Cut to Cavalcade, Asks SPG to Reduce Cars by 50%

The number of vehicles in Prime MinisterNarendra Modi’s cavalcade has been reduced. The development has come amid a call given by the Prime Minister himself, urging the citizens to minimise the use of petrol and diesel, shift to electric vehicles, public transport, and carpooling, in order to preserve energy amid global outages and disruptions, in view of the Iran war.

According to sources, the Prime Minister has asked the Special Protection Group (SPG), responsible for his security, to reduce the number of vehicles in his convoy to 50 per cent.

PM Modi has also asked officials to try and increase the number of electric vehicles in his cavalcade. However, he has instructed that no new vehicles should be purchased.

A downsizing in the prime minister's convoy was implemented in his recent domestic visits, official sources said. The reduction was done while maintaining essential security components as per SPG protocol. Modi's convoy size was cut in Gujarat and Assam, immediately after his speech in Hyderabad.

Sources said the prime minister also asked for electric vehicles to be included in his convoy, where possible, without making new purchases.

Amid the crisis in West Asia, Modi on Sunday made a push for austerity while addressing a rally organised by the Telangana BJP in Hyderabad.

The prime minister suggested reducing petrol and diesel consumption, using metro rail services in cities, carpooling, increased use of electric vehicles, utilising railway services for parcel movement, and working from home to conserve foreign exchange.

Following austerity measures suggested by the Prime Minister, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has also reduced the number of vehicles in his cavalcade until further orders.

In a cabinet meeting, Yadav appealed to members of the Council of Ministers to reduce petrol and diesel consumption in the national interest and batted for the use of public transport, an official said.

As part of austerity measures to be in force until further orders, the Chief Minister's cavalcade will consist of only eight vehicles instead of 13 earlier. No vehicle rallies will be organised during his visits, the official said.

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