Pune, May 14 (IANS). Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari inspected Sant Dnyaneshwar Mauli Maharaj Palki Marg on Thursday. During this, he supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal regarding fuel saving by traveling by bus instead of his convoy.
Speaking to news agency IANS during the inspection visit, Union Minister Gadkari said that he has been working to promote alternative fuels for a long time. He told that since the year 2004, he has been continuously working on fuels like ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, LNG and green hydrogen.
Gadkari further said that he has launched the country’s first electric scooter, electric car, truck and bus. Now he is also launching machinery and tractors for the agriculture sector. He said that in the coming time, this will create a new economy worth about Rs 2 lakh crore and India will gradually move towards becoming completely self-reliant.
He said, “Our goal is to eliminate pollution and make the country self-reliant in terms of energy. This dream is gradually coming true. But in view of the current international circumstances and global crisis, we should save petrol and diesel. That is why the Prime Minister has appealed to the countrymen.”
The Union Minister said that he too has cut down his arrangements and that is why he is traveling by bus. He said that fuel saving is not only the responsibility of the government but is the responsibility of every citizen.
It is noteworthy that recently, in view of the ongoing tension in West Asia and its impact on fuel supply, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appealed to the countrymen to use petrol and diesel wisely. The Prime Minister had also advised people to avoid buying gold for a year, use less cooking oil and avoid unnecessary foreign trips.
After the Prime Minister’s appeal, steps are being taken at the government level in many states regarding fuel saving. Chief ministers in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have given instructions to reduce the number of vehicles in their convoys.
Chief Ministers of many BJP ruled states including Yogi Adityanath have started initiatives in this direction. Whereas Union Minister C.R. Patil has also decided not to take an escort vehicle.
According to reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also reduced the number of vehicles in his convoy by almost half. At the same time, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also reduced the number of vehicles in his convoy.
It is being told that the Prime Minister has also emphasized on increasing the number of electric vehicles in the convoy. Also, instructions have been given that instead of purchasing new vehicles for this, existing resources should be used better.
After the deepening of the Middle East crisis, many ministries of the central government have also started implementing measures related to fuel saving. The government’s focus is now on promoting alternative energy, electric mobility and low fuel consumption transport modes.
Nitin Gadkari had said on Wednesday that following Prime Minister Modi’s appeal, he will reduce the number of vehicles in his convoy and will travel by bus as much as possible.
–IANS
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