PM Modi Orders Cut to Cavalcade, Asks SPG to Reduce Cars by 50%

The number of vehicles in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cavalcade has been reduced. The development has come amid a call given by the Prime Minister himself, urging the citizens to minimise the use of petrol and diesel, shift to electric vehicles, public transport, and carpooling, in order to preserve energy amid global outages and disruptions, in view of the Iran war.According to sources, the Prime Minister has asked the Special Protection Group (SPG), responsible for his security, to reduce the number of vehicles in his convoy to 50 per cent.PM Modi has also asked officials to try and increase the number of electric vehicles in his cavalcade. However, he has instructed that no new vehicles should be purchased.Following austerity measures

suggested by the Prime Minister, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has also reduced the number of vehicles in his cavalcade until further orders.In a cabinet meeting, Yadav appealed to members of the Council of Ministers to reduce petrol and diesel consumption in the national interest and batted for the use of public transport, an official said.As part of austerity measures to be in force until further orders, the Chief Minister's cavalcade will consist of only eight vehicles instead of 13 earlier. No vehicle rallies will be organised during his visits, the official said.All ministers will use minimum number of vehicles during their travels. Instructions have also been issued that newly-appointed corporation and board officials should assume office with simplicity and avoid organising vehicle rallies, the official said.The Chief Minister has suggested implementation of austerity measures in government operations in the BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh in accordance with PM Modi's call and suggestions, he maintained.State ministers, corporation and board officials, and ordinary citizens have been urged to minimise vehicle use and instead opt for public transportation, the official added.With inputs from PTI