Chandigarh four-wheeler use to be avoided on Wednesdays, says Gulab Chand Kataria

Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria has asked Union Territory officials to avoid four-wheelers every Wednesday, encouraging bicycles, public transport, walking, or family drop-offs. The administration is also considering a weekly no-car day for school students. Kataria has written to reduce his security convoy, aligning with PM Narendra Modi’s austerity and fuel-saving appeal.

Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria said Union Territory officials were asked to skip four-wheelers every Wednesday. The step followed Prime Minister Narendra Modis call to cut fuel use and spend carefully. Kataria also said the administration was looking at similar limits for students and at reducing the size of the security convoy.

Kataria said officials should choose other ways to reach work each Wednesday. Options included bicycles, public transport, walking, or getting dropped off by a family member. The announcement came as several leaders changed travel routines after Modis message on fuel saving and reducing some avoidable spending.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis fuel appeal and convoy changes

Official sources said Modis appeal was focused on smarter spending, not blanket cuts. They said it aimed at lowering fuel consumption and reducing avoidable use of imported goods. The sources also mentioned limiting foreign-currency-intensive services. They added the Modi government was not cutting capital expenditure, welfare spending or subsidies.

The sources said the idea should not be treated as austerity steps. They said austerity usually meant budget cuts, lower government spending, fewer subsidies, and fiscal tightening. The sources stressed the appeal carried a different meaning. It encouraged conserving fuel, work-from-home where possible, and reducing avoidable foreign-exchange outflows.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis fuel appeal and Chandigarh measures

Kataria said the administration was considering a weekly restriction for school travel too. Kataria said students may be asked not to use four-wheelers or scooters one day a week. Kataria said students could instead come by bicycles, buses, or on foot. The plan was still under consideration.

Kataria also said steps were being taken around official security travel. Kataria said a letter was sent to security officials to minimise the security convoy. The move followed changes linked to Modi’s travel as well. PM Modi has significantly reduced his convoy size, days after he appealed for cutting down fuel consumption and spending more wisely.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis fuel appeal and SPG protocol details

Sources said the convoy downsizing was already used during recent domestic visits. The sources said the reduction was done while keeping key security elements in place. They said this was as per the SPG protocol. The updates were shared as leaders adopted similar approaches after Modis message.

Officials said the core message remained about using resources with care. They repeated that the aim was lower fuel use and fewer avoidable imports. They also pointed to services that required high foreign currency spending. The sources said the policy direction did not include trimming major public spending heads.

With inputs from PTI