Kolkata, 13 May (H.S.) : West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has decided to reduce the number of vehicles in his official convoy following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for fuel conservation amid the ongoing West Asia crisis.

The Chief Minister directed security officials to remove non-essential vehicles from his convoy while ensuring that all mandatory security protocols remain intact, according to statements made on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly after taking oath as the MLA from Bhawanipur, Adhikari said he had instructed security personnel to retain only essential vehicles in his convoy.

“I have asked security officials to remove non-essential vehicles,” he said.

As the Chief Minister, Adhikari is provided Z+ category security along with central security cover, which typically results in a large convoy. However, in line with the Prime Minister’s appeal, he has opted to streamline the convoy while maintaining required security arrangements.

The move comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged government officials and citizens to reduce fuel consumption in view of rising economic pressures linked to the West Asia situation. As part of this initiative, the Prime Minister has also reportedly reduced his own convoy size by nearly 50 per cent.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has similarly reduced the number of vehicles in his convoy.

Earlier in the day, Adhikari took oath as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Bhawanipur in the West Bengal Assembly. Several ministers and newly elected MLAs also took oath during the session, administered by Protem Speaker Tapas Ray.

Notably, several BJP legislators were seen following the fuel-saving appeal by travelling to the Assembly by bus for the oath-taking ceremony.

Political observers noted that these measures by top leaders are largely symbolic as well as administrative responses to economic pressures and rising fuel costs amid the evolving geopolitical situation in West Asia.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh