India's Modi cuts size of convoy in austerity move — reports

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reduced the size of his convoy of vehicles, Indian news agencies ANI and PTI reported on Wednesday.

Modi's reported move comes after he made a seven-point appeal to the Indian public on Sunday, calling on them to adopt austerity measures like using public transport and carpooling to conserve fuel in the face of a global supply disruption, stemming from the crisis in the Middle East.

The austerity push was questioned by critics who said that the prime minister embarked on roadshows after telling Indians to save up on petrol and diesel.

Reports from ANI and PTI on Wednesday cited official sources as saying that the curbs to Modi's convoy were implemented in his recent domestic visits.

Modi's convoy size was cut for his engagements in Gujarat and Assam, immediately after his Sunday speech in Hyderabad, PTI reported.

Modi also asked for electric vehicles to be included in his convoy, where possible, without buying new ones, PTI reported, citing unnamed sources.

Who else in Modi's government has shrunk their convoy?

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed a cut back on official vehicles used by her, her cabinet of ministers and other public representatives in the Indian capital.

"We have decided to limit the number of vehicles used for departmental work. I and all my cabinet colleagues, all MLAs of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), public representatives, officers of the Delhi government, and all departments will also use the minimum number of vehicles as per requirement and give priority to carpooling and public transport," the BJP minister wrote in Hindi on X as she underpinned the importance of Modi's appeal.

A similar cut down has been implemented in Home Minister Amit Shah's convoy, ANI reported.

Modi's seven-point push is centered around the theme "Nation First, Duty Above Comfort".

He is urging citizens to undertake measures like avoiding foreign travel and refraining from buying gold for a year to help save India's foreign exchange reserves.

Modi has also called on Indians to reduce the use of cooking oil and cut down dependence on chemical fertilizers.