13 May,2026 09:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The use of government aircraft and helicopters has also been restricted. File Pic
The Maharashtra government has announced a series of austerity and energy-saving measures, including a decision to reduce the convoy size of vehicles used by the Chief Minister and all ministers by half.
The announcement was made following high-level meetings chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai on Wednesday, attended by senior officials including the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, officials said.
The measures are aimed at supporting national efforts to conserve fuel and foreign exchange, they said.
As part of the new directives, ministers and senior officials have been instructed to avoid foreign travel unless absolutely essential, an official statement said.
The use of government aircraft and helicopters has also been restricted.
Officials have been advised to use regular commercial flights instead, except in emergency or unavoidable situations, it said.
The government has encouraged ministers and officials to increase the use of public transport such as Mumbai Metro services, the statement said.
As a pilot initiative, they have been asked to use public transport for at least one day to set an example, officials said.
To reduce unnecessary travel, the government has directed that most official meetings should be conducted through video conferencing instead of calling officials in person, the statement said.
This move is expected to improve efficiency and reduce logistical costs.
The administration has also ordered a strict review of the allocation and use of government vehicles across departments to ensure proper utilisation and reduce excess usage.
In another key decision, the government has instructed authorities to take strict action against unnecessary hoardings and flex banners.
Decorative lighting in such installations has been discouraged as part of energy-saving efforts.
Officials have been asked to strengthen enforcement measures to ensure compliance with these guidelines.
Eknath Shinde on Wednesday said he had already begun implementing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to reduce the use of petrol and diesel as part of ongoing fuel conservation efforts.
According to the PTI videos, speaking to reporters, Shinde said he travelled in an electric vehicle and had also decided to reduce the number of vehicles in his official convoy wherever possible.
"As for the Prime Minister's appeal to reduce the use of petrol and diesel, I have already started implementing it today itself. I myself came here in an electric vehicle," Shinde said.
He further added that only essential vehicles required for security purposes should remain part of ministerial convoys, while unnecessary vehicles should be reduced.
The statement comes amid the Maharashtra government's broader push towards austerity measures, fuel conservation and increased use of public and eco-friendly transport options by ministers and officials.
