Raipur

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Wednesday said he has scaled down the number of vehicles in his official convoy and that the state government will place greater emphasis on the adoption of electric vehicles in the coming days.

He also appealed to cabinet colleagues, along with heads of state-run corporations and boards, to exercise restraint in the use of official vehicles and other government resources.

The move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal urging citizens to reduce dependence on fuel-powered transport and adopt austerity measures amid the ongoing West Asia crisis.

Speaking to reporters in Raipur, Sai said the geopolitical tensions in West Asia have had global economic repercussions, including on India, prompting the prime minister to call for reduced consumption of petrol and diesel, lower gold purchases, and limited foreign travel.

“We have acted on the prime minister’s appeal. The number of vehicles in my official convoy has been reduced, and in the coming period, special emphasis will be placed on electric vehicles,” Sai said.

In a post on X, the chief minister described Modi’s call for fuel conservation and prudent resource use as a timely and necessary step in the national interest.

“At a time when the world is facing an energy crisis and environmental challenges, responsible use of valuable resources like petrol and diesel is a national duty,” he said.

Sai added that only essential vehicles would now accompany him during official visits. He also urged ministers and office-bearers of government bodies to use official transport and resources judiciously.

The chief minister further announced that the state government would begin taking phased steps to gradually convert its fleet of government vehicles to electric mobility.

Appealing to the public, he encouraged citizens to increasingly use public transport, adopt carpooling, and avoid unnecessary private vehicle usage.

“Small changes in our daily habits can create a major impact. Let us make fuel conservation a people’s movement with the spirit of ‘Nation First’,” he said.

A day earlier, Chhattisgarh Finance Minister OP Choudhary had also announced that he would avoid using pilot and escort vehicles in his convoy, except where security considerations make it unavoidable, until the situation stabilises.