Himachal Pradesh Governor, Shiv Pratap Shukla, has announced a significant reduction in his official convoy size and implemented a ‘Petrol-Free Sunday’ policy at Lok Bhavan, aiming to conserve fuel amid ongoing West Asian geopolitical tensions and fluctuating fuel prices. The measures are in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national call for austerity and reduced fuel consumption.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that Governor Shukla will now utilize 50 percent fewer vehicles in his official motorcade, effective immediately. Furthermore, all official vehicles will refrain from using petrol or diesel on Sundays, transforming Lok Bhavan into a designated ‘Fuel Conservation Zone’ every week. During these ‘Petrol-Free Sundays,’ essential official work will be conducted through video conferencing or by consolidating travel plans to minimize fuel usage.
The Governor emphasized that these decisions were made to curtail unnecessary fuel expenditure and to serve as an exemplary model for other government departments to emulate. Non-essential official meetings will henceforth be convened online to obviate the need for unnecessary travel, and official programmes and events will be strategically combined to limit vehicle movement.
In a significant move to demonstrate commitment to fuel conservation, Governor Shukla has also announced that he will suspend the use of the state government helicopter for official travel until the conclusion of the West Asia crisis and a stabilization of fuel prices. He articulated that using a high-consumption mode of transport would be incongruous with the nation’s broader efforts to save fuel during this critical period.
As the Chancellor of all state universities in Himachal Pradesh, Governor Shukla has extended his appeal to Vice-Chancellors, urging them to promptly initiate comprehensive fuel and energy-saving measures across their respective campuses. He has called upon university administrations to actively encourage faculty, staff, and students to adopt practices such as carpooling, cycling, and the utilization of public transportation systems. The Governor specifically implored students to become vocal ambassadors for the fuel-saving campaign within their colleges, hostels, and local communities.
Governor Shukla further stressed the importance of universities not only imparting knowledge about conservation but also actively practicing it in their daily operations. He highlighted that saving fuel transcends mere cost reduction, representing a crucial demonstration of national responsibility during a challenging geopolitical juncture. The Governor also broadened his appeal to the general public, particularly the youth, encouraging them to prioritize public transport, engage in ride-sharing, opt for walking for shorter distances, and embrace cycling whenever feasible. He noted that these habitual changes would contribute to fuel savings while simultaneously promoting improved personal health.
In conjunction with the fuel conservation drive, Governor Shukla also encouraged citizens to champion the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative. This involves prioritizing the purchase of locally produced goods, handicrafts, and Indian-made products over imported alternatives. He additionally urged individuals to consider domestic tourism destinations over international travel for their holidays, asserting that Himachal Pradesh itself offers unparalleled natural beauty, spiritual sites, and adventure tourism opportunities.
The Governor stated that choosing domestic travel would significantly bolster the Indian economy and foster local employment. He concluded by appealing to the youth of Himachal Pradesh to actively participate in the nation-building process, emphasizing the importance of maintaining discipline and social responsibility in their endeavors.
The Chenab Times News Desk