Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday cut down the strength of his official cavalcade by half, using only five cars, the move aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent call for austerity and urged citizens to help curb fuel consumption. “In light of the conflict in West Asia, the Prime Minister urged the citizens to reduce various expenses, especially the use of petrol. The chief minister welcomed the PM’s appeal by halving the number of vehicles used for his personal security,” an official statement issued by the chief minister’s office stated. Commerce and transport minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, on the other hand, said he will use public transport for travelling.According to sources, Modi on Wednesday reduced the size of his convoy as well.While the CMO has not disclosed the exact number of vehicles used earlier or after the reduction, police sources said that at least 10 vehicles were previously used in the CM’s cavalcade. They included an advance pilot vehicle manned by three police personnel, a pilot vehicle carrying five police officers onboard, carcade in-charge’s vehicle with four police personnel, CM’s vehicle, a plain clothes protection vehicle (escort one) with six police personnel, a uniform protection vehicle (escort two) with 5-6 police personnel, a spare car with two police personnel, an ambulance and a fire tender.The govt has assured that reduction in the CM’s cavalcade will not compromise his protection. “We will review the chief minister’s revised security arrangements and ensure that adequate police personnel remain deployed for his safety in the convoy,” a police officer said.Majhi urged the state’s residents to reduce personal vehicle usage and rely more on public transport. “Use vehicles only when necessary,” he added.He has also advised people against buying gold and making unnecessary foreign trips, echoing the PM’s views.“I appreciate both the PM and the CM for setting an example for the country by reducing the number of vehicles in their respective convoys. It will inspire people to follow in their footsteps and cut down the use of petrol and diesel,” Arun Mohapatra, a resident of Damana, said.Jena said he will use govt buses or trains for travelling and reduce the number of vehicles in his cavalcade as well to save fuel. “I have decided to use govt buses and other public transport means for travelling and my cavalcade is now two vehicles only. I may reduce it to a single vehicle in the coming days and will use the facility as per necessity,” Jena said in a statement to the media.“If people like us take the PM’s message seriously, common men will follow in our footsteps. We need to set examples for the people by saving fuel,” Jena added.“We suggest people use carpools for travelling to work. Two people can go to office on a single motorcycle,” he said.“People can use public transport too to save fuel. We are in favour of using electric vehicles (EV). EV buses are running in cities like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur and Sambalpur under the Ama Bus scheme. The govt will increase charging stations in the state so that EVs can be used for travelling long routes.”
