NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has “significantly” reduced the size of his motorcade to save fuel, a government source said on Wednesday, days after he urged citizens to adopt austerity measures amid a surge in energy prices triggered by the Iran war.
The appeal came on Sunday when Modi asked people to tighten their belts and adopt cost-saving habits, including avoiding unnecessary foreign travel, using public transport, reducing gold purchases and cutting down on cooking oil consumption, as rising global energy prices strained India’s foreign exchange reserves.
Following the appeal, some critics on social media raised questions about the large motorcades used by senior Indian politicians, Modi’s domestic flights, and his upcoming Europe visit on his official aircraft.
According to the source, the number of vehicles in Modi’s motorcade has been reduced while maintaining essential security arrangements in line with the Special Protection Group protocol, which is responsible for the Prime Minister’s security. The exact revised size of the motorcade was not disclosed.
The source added that Modi’s motorcade, which previously consisted of about a dozen vehicles due to his highest-level security cover, has now been scaled down.
It was also stated that Modi has reduced motorcade sizes during visits this week to his home state of Gujarat and the northeastern state of Assam. The source further said the Prime Minister has requested the inclusion of electric vehicles in the convoy wherever feasible, although no new purchases have been made for this purpose.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to brief the media, declined to provide further details.
The Prime Minister’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
India, the world’s third-largest oil importer and consumer, relies heavily on the Strait of Hormuz for supplies of crude oil, liquefied natural gas and cooking gas, a route disrupted by the US-Israeli war with Iran.
Rising oil prices are expected to widen India’s current account deficit, slow economic growth and increase inflationary pressure, as Washington and Tehran continue efforts to reach a deal to end hostilities following a fragile ceasefire that paused fighting over a month ago.
India has so far avoided increasing petrol and diesel prices, but an upward revision is widely expected due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East.