Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen travelling with a significantly smaller convoy in Delhi, with visuals showing only two vehicles accompanying him instead of the larger motorcade usually associated with VVIP movement.
The video, which quickly went viral on social media, showed the Prime Minister travelling in a Range Rover and a Toyota Fortuner during movement in the national capital. Reports said the reduction is part of a broader austerity and fuel-conservation initiative being implemented by the government.
Normally, the Prime Minister’s convoy includes around 12 to 15 vehicles, such as armoured cars, escort vehicles, jammer units, decoy cars and an ambulance under Special Protection Group (SPG) security arrangements. Officials, however, clarified that mandatory security protocols remain intact despite the reduction in the convoy size.
SPG implementing revised convoy measures
According to reports, the SPG has already started implementing the revised convoy arrangements during the Prime Minister’s recent visits to Gujarat, Assam and Hyderabad. The move is being seen as part of efforts to encourage fuel conservation and sustainable practices amid rising global energy concerns.
The development comes days after PM Modi appealed to citizens to reduce fuel consumption, use public transport where possible and adopt austerity measures in view of global uncertainties impacting energy markets.
Reports also suggested that Union Home Minister Amit Shah and several other ministers have started reducing convoy sizes and reviewing fuel-saving measures in their respective departments.
