Maharashtra halves ministerial convoy size in cost-cutting move after PM Modi's appeal

The Maharashtra government has announced a series of austerity and energysaving measures including a decision to reduce the convoy size of vehicles used by the Chief Minister and all ministers by halfThe announcement was made following highlevel 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 saidThe measures are aimed at supporting national efforts to conserve fuel and foreign exchange they saidForeign travel and special transport restrictedAs part of the new directives ministers and senior officials have been instructed to avoid foreign travel unless absolutely essential an official statement saidThe use of government aircraft and helicopters has also been restrictedOfficials have been advised to use regular commercial flights instead except in emergency or unavoidable situations it saidPush for public transport useThe government has encouraged ministers and officials to increase the use of public transport such as Mumbai Metro services the statement saidAs a pilot initiative they have been asked to use public transport for at least one day to set an example officials saidMeetings to shift towards video conferencingTo 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 saidThis move is expected to improve efficiency and reduce logistical costsReview of govt vehiclesThe administration has also ordered a strict review of the allocation and use of government vehicles across departments to ensure proper utilisation and reduce excess usageAction against unnecessary hoardings lightingIn another key decision the government has instructed authorities to take strict action against unnecessary hoardings and flex bannersDecorative lighting in such installations has been discouraged as part of energysaving effortsOfficials have been asked to strengthen enforcement measures to ensure compliance with these guidelinesEknath Shinde backs PM Modirsquos fuelsaving appealEknath Shinde on Wednesday said he had already begun implementing Prime Minister Narendra Modirsquos appeal to reduce the use of petrol and diesel as part of ongoing fuel conservation effortsAccording 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 possibleVIDEO Mumbai On PM Modis austerity appeal Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde says As for the Prime Ministers 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 In my convoy toohellip pictwittercomOkhqFfL5mZmdash Press Trust of India PTI_News May 13 2026ldquoAs for the Prime Ministerrsquos appeal to reduce the use of petrol and diesel I have already started implementing it today itself I myself came here in an electric vehiclerdquo Shinde saidHe further added that only essential vehicles required for security purposes should remain part of ministerial convoys while unnecessary vehicles should be reducedThe statement comes amid the Maharashtra governmentrsquos broader push towards austerity measures fuel conservation and increased use of public and ecofriendly transport options by ministers and officials