Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated a major austerity move by directing the Special Protection Group (SPG) to reduce the size of his official convoy by nearly 50 percent.
According to sources, the Prime Minister personally instructed the elite security force responsible for his protection to streamline the number of vehicles used in his carcade while ensuring that mandatory security protocols remain fully intact.
The SPG has already begun implementing the decision during the Prime Minister’s recent visits outside Delhi. Officials stated that the convoy appeared significantly smaller during his recent Hyderabad trip, marking the first visible step toward the new policy.
In addition to reducing the convoy size, the Prime Minister has reportedly encouraged greater use of electric vehicles within the fleet. However, he has advised departments not to purchase new vehicles to avoid unnecessary expenditure.
The move is being viewed as a broader message to government ministries and departments to adopt fuel-saving and cost-cutting measures in their daily operations.
Sources indicated that several government departments are now discussing possible austerity initiatives, including encouraging employees to use Metro services more frequently, adopt carpooling, reduce unnecessary travel, and avoid lavish official events and banquets.
Officials said departments are awaiting formal guidelines from the personnel department but have already started identifying ways to minimise fuel consumption and operational expenses.
“The Prime Minister’s message is for everyone, including government offices. Every department will need to prepare its own plan to reduce fuel usage and unnecessary spending,” a senior official said.
The issue of reducing fuel consumption and unnecessary travel was also discussed during an informal group of ministers meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh earlier this week.
The austerity push comes shortly after Prime Minister Modi, during a public address in Hyderabad, urged citizens to reduce fuel and gold consumption amid growing economic and global uncertainties.
Government insiders believe the Prime Minister’s decision to lead by example is intended to encourage faster implementation of austerity practices across various sectors of the administration.
