Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ordered a 50 per cent reduction in the size of his convoy and called for greater use of electric vehicles as part of a broader austerity and fuel-saving campaign, sources told India Today TV on Wednesday. The move comes as India prepares for the economic impact of the Iran war and rising global oil prices.

According to sources, the Special Protection Group (SPG) has been directed to reduce the number of vehicles in the Prime Minister’s convoy without affecting mandatory security arrangements. The SPG has already started implementing the decision. Sources added that PM Modi has also asked for increased use of electric vehicles in the convoy. However, he has instructed officials not to purchase any new vehicles for this transition.

The decision follows PM Modi’s recent appeal to citizens to adopt austerity measures and reduce unnecessary spending. He had urged people to avoid buying gold for a year, postpone non-essential foreign travel and cut down fuel consumption as the country faces pressure from the global economic situation.

Leading the campaign himself, the Prime Minister has already reduced the size of his convoy during recent visits to states such as Gujarat and Assam. Smaller convoys were seen during his visits to Vadodara and Guwahati soon after his austerity appeal at a rally in Hyderabad.

Sources said the reduction in vehicles was done while fully maintaining the mandatory security requirements under SPG protocol. The Centre’s austerity push is now being reflected across different ministries and state governments as well. Several central ministries are reportedly considering fuel-saving measures as part of the larger effort.

Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled states, including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, have also reportedly directed cuts in the size of their official convoys. Sources further said Union Minister C. R. Patil has decided to stop using an escort vehicle as part of the campaign. Joining the suit, Home Minister Amit Shah and Health Minister JP Nadda have reduced their convoy to half.

PM Modi had made the austerity appeal while addressing a BJP rally in Hyderabad, Telangana, on Sunday. During the speech, he urged citizens to take practical steps to help the country manage the economic effects of the Iran war and conserve foreign exchange reserves.

The Prime Minister encouraged people to reduce the use of petrol and diesel and suggested greater use of Metro rail services, carpooling, electric vehicles and railway parcel services. He also encouraged work-from-home practices wherever possible to help reduce fuel consumption.

Stressing the importance of protecting foreign exchange reserves, PM Modi urged people to postpone gold purchases and non-essential foreign travel for one year. He also called for lower consumption of edible oil and reduced dependence on chemical fertilisers. Along with this, he promoted natural farming practices and encouraged the use of swadeshi products to strengthen self-reliance.

Emphasising that the Centre was trying to protect citizens from the economic impact of the West Asia crisis, PM Modi said prudent fuel use and cost-cutting measures would help strengthen the economy during a period of global uncertainty.