Chhattisgarh CM cuts convoy size, pushes EV use amid PM’s austerity call

Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai said he reduced the size of his official convoy and that the state government will increase electric vehicle use in the coming days following Prime Minister Modi’s austerity call. He appealed to cabinet ministers and office-bearers of state-run corporations to ensure restrained use of vehicles and other government resources. He described the PM's call as the 'need of the hour' and said phased steps will gradually convert all government vehicles to EVs. He urged citizens to use public transport, adopt carpooling, and avoid unnecessary private travel, noting he posted these remarks on X.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for fuel conservation and prudent use of resources amid global energy and economic uncertainty is cited as the impetus for the state's plan to reduce vehicle use, with calls to reduce petrol and diesel consumption, use Metro rail services, adopt carpooling, increase the use of EVs, utilise railways for parcel movement and work from home wherever possible.

Chhattisgarh finance minister OP Choudhary announced that he would avoid using pilot and follow vehicles in his convoy except in unavoidable security-related situations until normalcy returns.