Nitin Gadkari Opts for Bus Travel During Maharashtra Tour, Cuts Convoy Size Amid Fuel Conservation Push

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has decided to travel by bus during his two-day visit to Maharashtra’s Pune, Satara and Solapur districts on May 14 and 15, in a move aimed at promoting fuel conservation and austerity measures.

The decision comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens and public representatives to adopt energy-saving practices amid concerns over the ongoing energy crisis linked to tensions in West Asia.

Gadkari is scheduled to inspect road projects connecting the pilgrimage sites associated with medieval saints Sant Dnyaneshwar and Sant Tukaram. As part of the initiative, he has also directed Maharashtra government officials to reduce the size of his official convoy by 50 percent.

In a letter addressed to the state chief secretary, director general of police, district collectors and senior police officers, Gadkari emphasized the importance of reducing fuel consumption to strengthen national energy security.

He stated that travelling by bus along with security personnel, government officials and journalists would help save fuel while also reducing traffic congestion and inconvenience to the public.

The minister’s move is being viewed as a symbolic yet significant response to the Prime Minister’s appeal, which encouraged people to use public transport, reduce unnecessary foreign travel and limit gold purchases in light of the evolving global energy situation.

                                                                                                                     BY-RUSHALI