Gandhinagar, May 15 (IANS) The Gujarat government will induct 300 new buses into public service on Saturday without holding any physical or virtual inauguration ceremony, as the state steps up fuel-conservation measures following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal to reduce fuel consumption.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Cabinet meeting on Friday, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said the buses would begin operating from 10 a.m. and would be sent directly to their designated centres instead of being assembled at one location for a ceremonial launch.

“The department has been informed that no physical or virtual programme is to be held. These buses, used for mass transportation, will be opened directly for public service,” Sanghavi said.

He added that avoiding a centralised event would help save fuel, time and public money. “The buses will not be gathered at one place and will instead be directly sent to centres. This in itself will save fuel, time and money,” he said.

The move comes days after PM Modi urged citizens and governments to reduce unnecessary fuel consumption amid global energy uncertainty and rising oil prices.

In his public appeal, the Prime Minister encouraged the use of public transport, carpooling and virtual meetings, while also calling for restraint in non-essential travel.

The appeal has led to a series of measures across Gujarat and other BJP-ruled states.

Gujarat ministers have reduced convoy sizes, limited pilot vehicle usage and increased reliance on virtual meetings, while the Governor has indicated a preference for travel by trains and state transport buses wherever possible.

According to Sanghavi, the decision to add 300 buses is aimed at strengthening mass transportation and offering citizens an alternative to private vehicles.

He thanked residents for supporting public transport initiatives and said departments had been instructed to improve arrangements for commuters across cities and districts.

The government has also encouraged officials travelling between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar to adopt carpooling and car-sharing practices. “Directions had been issued to minimise unnecessary travel for meetings by conducting them virtually whenever feasible,” Sanghavi noted.

The Prime Minister himself has reduced the size of his convoy during recent visits, and several union ministers and chief ministers have followed similar measures as part of the broader fuel-conservation campaign.

–IANS

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