From Gadkari To Nadda & Rijiju, Ministers Carpool To Cabinet Meet After PM Modi's Push

Carpooling emerged as the defining feature of the Union Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, as several senior ministers arrived together for the meeting at Seva Teerth, reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent push for sustainable and responsible public conduct.

In an unusual sight in the national capital, a number of Union ministers chose to forgo separate vehicle convoys and travel with their Cabinet colleagues to the Prime Minister’s Office complex.

Among those who shared rides were Union ministers Nitin Gadkari and JP Nadda. Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju travelled along with NDA colleagues Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh and Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Union ministers Prahlad Joshi and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat,

who live in close proximity to each other, also travelled together to the Cabinet meeting. Similarly, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a ride with fellow cabinet colleague Mansukh Mandaviya.

The move follows a suggestion made by PM Modi during the previous cabinet meeting, where he is learnt to have encouraged ministers to adopt carpooling whenever travelling to the same destination.

“How many of you are presently carpooling?” the prime minister is said to have asked his cabinet colleagues, while emphasising the need to reduce fuel consumption and avoid unnecessary travel.

The initiative is being viewed as part of the government’s broader emphasis on sustainability and leading by example. Following the prime minister’s appeal, several Union ministers have reportedly reduced the number of vehicles accompanying them during official movements.

The message has also resonated beyond the Centre. Chief ministers in BJP- and NDA-ruled states have similarly sought to trim down their official entourages. In some cases, ministers and senior political leaders have increasingly opted for public transport, including the Delhi Metro, for routine travel.

Government sources say the effort is aimed at reinforcing the principle of “practice what you preach”, with those holding public office setting an example for citizens through more efficient and environmentally conscious modes of travel.