Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal to reduce fuel consumption and adopt more responsible spending habits Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria has announced a new initiative for officials in Chandigarh and speaking about the same Kataria said that all officials in Union Territory administration have been instructed not to use their four wheelers once every week specifically on Wednesdays and instead officials have been encouraged to use bicycles, public transport, walk to work or take help from family members for commuting.
Kataria said this move is aimed at saving fuel and promoting environmentally friendly travel habits and added that administration wants government employees to set an example for public by adopting simple and practical changes in their daily routine “First we instructed all officials in our UT that on one day of week that is Wednesday no one will use their four wheelers an they should either come by bicycle, use public transport, walk or be dropped off by a family member” Kataria said.
Chandigarh Administrator further revealed that administration is also considering introducing similar measures for school students and under the proposal students may be encouraged not to come to school in four wheelers or scooters one day every week and instead they may use bicycles, school buses, public transport or walk to school wherever possible.
Kataria also mentioned that he has personally written to his security officials asking them to minimise size of his security convoy and the decision comes shortly after reports emerged that Prime Minister Modi himself had reduced the number of vehicles in his convoy during recent domestic visits.
According to official sources Prime Minister’s message is not about “austerity” in traditional sense of cutting government spending or reducing welfare schemes but instead the focus is on smarter and more efficient use of resources especially fuel and imported goods.
Sources said Modi has urged citizens and government departments to reduce unnecessary fuel consumption, avoid wasteful expenditure and lower dependence on imported products and foreign currency intensive services and officials clarified that Centre is not reducing capital expenditure, subsidies or welfare spending.
Prime Minister has also encouraged practices like work from home wherever possible to help reduce traffic congestion and fuel usage and officials stressed that these steps are meant to promote sustainability and responsible consumption rather than strict financial cutbacks and the latest initiative in Chandigarh has already started drawing public attention especially because it directly involves government officials and could later expand to schools and other institutions.
Supporters believe the move could help reduce pollution, save fuel costs and encourage healthier travel options like cycling and walking and with fuel prices and environmental concerns continuing to remain major issues across country Chandigarh’s weekly “no four wheeler day” could become an example that other states and Union Territories may consider following in coming months.