Bhubaneswar: In response to growing concerns over global fuel supply disruptions caused by the ongoing crisis in West Asia, the Odisha government has launched a comprehensive campaign aimed at promoting fuel conservation, economic discipline, and sustainable transportation, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for “economic self-defence.”
The state leadership has rolled out a series of measures to minimise fuel consumption and enhance long-term economic resilience. These initiatives include reducing official convoys, restricting the use of government vehicles, and promoting electric vehicles (EVs) and public transport.
Strong support for the campaign comes from Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, who have all committed to concrete actions aimed at decreasing fuel dependency and encouraging sustainable mobility.
Governor Calls for ‘Economic Self-Defence’
Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati has strongly endorsed Prime Minister Modi’s appeal for “economic self-defence,” emphasising that economic resilience and self-reliance are crucial for safeguarding the nation’s long-term prosperity and strategic interests. He stated that conscious public participation and responsible consumption practices can significantly enhance the country’s economic security. The Governor stressed the importance of sustainable living, urging citizens to reduce unnecessary consumption and adopt fuel-saving measures.
#WATCH | Bhubaneswar, Odisha: On PM Narendra Modi’s appeal to reduce fuel Consumption, Governor of Odisha, Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati says, "… Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a call to all the citizens of the country to take certain measures to strengthen the economy of… pic.twitter.com/ZQpVF45qbq
— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2026
Highlighting sustainability initiatives at Raj Bhavan, he noted that his convoy exclusively uses electric vehicles, while Lok Bhavan operates entirely on solar energy, setting an example as a net-zero campus. To further support this transition, he mentioned that employees at Lok Bhavan are encouraged to switch from petrol and diesel vehicles to EVs, with free charging facilities available for officials and staff using electric vehicles on campus.
Taking the initiative further, the Governor announced plans to contact Vice-Chancellors of state universities, requesting them to observe at least one “Combustion Engine-Free Day” each week. He urged students and youth to increasingly adopt bicycles, EVs, and public transport in their daily routines.
The Governor also appealed to government officers and employees to minimise unnecessary use of official vehicles and actively contribute to fuel conservation efforts.
In line with the Prime Minister’s broader appeal, he encouraged citizens to defer gold purchases for at least a year, reduce edible oil consumption, promote indigenous products, and support natural farming practices.
“Saving fuel, promoting indigenous products, encouraging natural farming, and reducing edible oil consumption are not merely acts of conservation; they are essential steps toward strengthening and safeguarding the nation,” the Governor stated.
Chief Minister Reduces Official Convoy
In a significant symbolic gesture, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that the number of vehicles in his official security convoy has been halved in response to the Prime Minister’s call for fuel conservation. He urged the people of Odisha to reduce their reliance on private vehicles and make greater use of public transport whenever possible. The Chief Minister advised citizens to avoid unnecessary vehicle use and to use fuel judiciously during the current global oil uncertainty.
ପଶ୍ଚିମ ଏସିଆରେ ସାମ୍ପ୍ରତିକ ପରିସ୍ଥିତି ଜନିତ ତୈଳ ସମସ୍ୟା ପରିପ୍ରେକ୍ଷୀରେ ମାନ୍ୟବର ପ୍ରଧାନମନ୍ତ୍ରୀଙ୍କ ଖର୍ଚ୍ଚକାଟ ଆହ୍ୱାନକୁ ମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @MohanMOdisha ସ୍ୱାଗତ କରିଛନ୍ତି। ଦେଶ ହିତକୁ ପ୍ରାଧାନ୍ୟ ଦେଇ ମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ନିଜ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଗତ ସୁରକ୍ଷା କାର୍କେଡ୍ ଗାଡ଼ି ସଂଖ୍ୟାକୁ ତୁରନ୍ତ ଅଧା କରିବା ସହ…
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) May 13, 2026
He also called on residents to postpone non-essential foreign travel and delay purchases of luxury items like gold to support the country’s economic stability amid the challenging international climate. Senior officials across various departments have begun adopting similar austerity measures.
Deputy CM Eliminates Pilot and Escort Vehicles
In support of the fuel conservation initiative, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo announced the removal of pilot and escort vehicles designated for his personal security. Starting Thursday, he will use only a single vehicle for both official and personal travel, including trips to the Secretariat and other events. He encouraged citizens to heed the Prime Minister’s call to reduce private vehicle usage and to increasingly utilise public transport and electric vehicles. This action is viewed as part of the state government’s broader commitment to demonstrate responsible governance and administrative leadership.
Odisha Implements Fuel Conservation Strategies
The Odisha government is also developing a comprehensive framework to regulate fuel consumption across various departments. Chief Secretary Anu Garg indicated that several significant decisions are being considered to address the current fuel situation. Proposed measures include restrictions on government vehicle usage and the mandatory use of public transport in specific cases.
Garg mentioned that guidelines for government officers and employees regarding fuel consumption and the operation of official vehicles may soon be issued. She confirmed that several senior officials have already adopted fuel-saving practices following the Chief Minister’s decision to reduce his convoy size. “More decisions will be made today, which will be communicated later,” Garg stated, suggesting that additional administrative reforms may be on the horizon. This initiative comes amidst panic buying at petrol stations in Bhubaneswar due to rumours of fuel shortages earlier in the day.
Odisha to Transition OSRTC Fleet to Electric Vehicles
As part of its long-term sustainability plan, the Odisha government has announced a significant shift towards electric mobility in public transportation. Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena stated that all buses operated by the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) will gradually be converted to electric vehicles. This initiative aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to promote eco-friendly transportation and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Jena also announced his intention to switch to an electric vehicle and limit himself to a single official vehicle. “Austerity must begin with oneself,” he remarked. He added that several ministers are expected to implement similar measures in the coming days.
ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନର ବୈଶ୍ୱିକ ପରିସ୍ଥିତିରେ ଯଶସ୍ୱୀ ପ୍ରଧାନମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ନରେନ୍ଦ୍ର ମୋଦୀଜୀ ଇନ୍ଧନ ସଞ୍ଚୟ ପାଇଁ ଦେଇଥିବା ଆହ୍ୱାନ ଓ ଆଦର୍ଶକୁ ପାଥେୟ କରି ଆଜି ଭୁବନେଶ୍ୱରରୁ ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁର ଗସ୍ତ ସମୟରେ ପେଟ୍ରୋଲ ଗାଡ଼ି ବଦଳରେ ବୈଦ୍ୟୁତିକ ଯାନ(ଇଭି) ବ୍ୟବହାର କଲି। ଏହାସହ କାରକେଡ୍ ଗାଡ଼ି ସଂଖ୍ୟା ମଧ୍ୟ ହ୍ରାସ କରିଛି। ଆଗକୁ ଆବଶ୍ୟକତା ଅନୁଯାୟୀ… pic.twitter.com/t2nS9C9W3M
— Bibhuti Bhusan Jena (@BibhutiJena93) May 14, 2026
The Transport Minister emphasised that the transition to electric mobility would not only help maintain ecological balance but also significantly lower transportation costs over time. He urged the public to increasingly utilise buses and trains and noted that the government is concurrently enhancing EV infrastructure across the state. According to the minister, work on 30 out of 100 proposed EV charging stations has already been completed, including 15 stations in Bhubaneswar. He further assured that manufacturers interested in transitioning to electric vehicle production would receive the necessary support and incentives from the government.
