Chandigarh

Ministers in Haryana have begun implementing a series of fuel-saving measures, from reducing official convoys to cycling to government meetings, in response to Narendra Modi’s recent appeal for conservation of fuel and prudent use of public resources.

Leading the initiative, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was among the first to cut the size of his official convoy by nearly half. Saini has also decided to avoid using any government vehicle one day every week as part of the campaign.

Following his lead, several cabinet colleagues have adopted similar measures by reducing the number of vehicles in their official fleets, limiting unnecessary travel, and directing departments to encourage virtual meetings wherever feasible.

On Monday, ministers including Krishan Kumar Bedi and Gaurav Gautam arrived on bicycles to attend a state cabinet meeting in Chandigarh, symbolically reinforcing the state’s commitment to fuel conservation. Bedi, who cycled nearly two kilometres from his official residence, said public representatives also share the responsibility of acting on the prime minister’s message. He added that ministers would use public transport wherever possible.

Shyam Singh Rana said he now prefers using only his security vehicle during field visits as part of the effort.

Meanwhile, Anil Vij announced that the transport department will soon procure 1,000 new buses, including 500 electric buses, to promote sustainable public transport. He also advocated tax concessions for buyers of electric vehicles and said a proposal in this regard had already been moved.

In line with the chief minister’s directives, Ranbir Gangwa initiated a review of government vehicle usage in the Public Health Engineering and Public Works departments. Following the assessment, nine vehicles from the Public Health Engineering department and eight from the Public Works department were ordered to be withdrawn from service at headquarters and associated offices. Gangwa has also removed the pilot vehicle from his own convoy.

Several departments have now been instructed to promote vehicle pooling, reduce unnecessary travel, hold virtual meetings wherever possible, and regularly monitor vehicle logbooks and fuel expenditure.

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State ministers said the broader objective is not only fuel conservation but also environmental protection, transparency, and more accountable use of public resources.