Agartala, May 14 (IANS) Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to reduce dependence on fuel and opt for public transport, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and several ministers have started reducing the number of vehicles in their security convoys from Thursday, officials said.

A senior official of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Chief Minister Saha has reduced his convoy by 50 per cent from Thursday.

“Earlier, at least eight vehicles, including the Chief Minister’s official car, were part of the convoy. From today (Thursday) onwards, the convoy has been reduced to four vehicles,” the official said.

Power, Agriculture and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Wednesday used a bicycle and an auto-rickshaw to travel to his office at the Civil Secretariat in the Capital Complex on the outskirts of Agartala and also to attend programmes at nearby locations.

Nath, who holds the second position in the state Cabinet after the Chief Minister, said in a Facebook post that, responding to PM Modi’s call for fuel conservation, he has stopped using his escort vehicle and would use a bicycle as far as possible for short-distance travel and public outreach programmes.

Stating that nation-building is shaped not only by grand announcements but also by simple personal commitments, the minister said the decision was taken, from Wednesday onwards, to support fuel conservation and environmental protection.

Describing cycling in the morning breeze as a nostalgic experience, Nath said it brought back memories of childhood and the familiar sound of bicycle pedals, while also helping him remain closely connected to people.

He appealed to citizens to become more conscious of saving fuel, protecting nature, and working collectively to build a better future for future generations.

Food, Civil Supplies and Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury also announced through a social media post on Thursday that, in response to the Prime Minister’s appeal for fuel conservation until the global energy crisis eases, he has decided to reduce the number of escort vehicles assigned to his security from four to two from Thursday onwards.

Amid concerns arising from the ongoing situation in the Middle East, Chowdhury chaired a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat on Thursday to ensure the uninterrupted supply and distribution of petrol, diesel, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas cylinders to consumers in the state.

“During the meeting, it was stated that all necessary measures are being taken to prevent any disruption in the availability of essential fuel supplies,” the minister said.

Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Animesh Debbarma, in a social media post, said that in response to the Prime Minister’s appeal to reduce fuel consumption and expenditure, he has curtailed the size of his official convoy and directed all departments under his charge to adopt similar measures.

Chief Minister Saha had earlier said that he would discuss with Director General of Police Anurag the possibility of reducing the size of his security convoy following the Prime Minister’s call for prudent expenditure.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Saha said he personally supports reducing the number of vehicles in the convoy, provided security considerations are not compromised.

“If there is no security-related problem, then we have no objection to reducing the number of vehicles, and it should be done as well. I always wanted to use fewer vehicles and security personnel, but the police officials were not allowing it,” the Chief Minister said.

Chief Ministers and ministers from different states have already announced expenditure cuts in several areas, including security arrangements and foreign travel.

During his visit to Hyderabad last week, PM Modi appealed to citizens to reduce their dependence on fuel and to opt for public transport, including Metro services and carpooling.

He also encouraged greater use of electric vehicles, reduced gold purchases, and preferred domestic travel over foreign trips amid the escalating crisis in West Asia.

–IANS

sc/dan