Modi urges use of EVs and public transport as energy crisis deepens

Faced with the impact of the Middle East crisis on energy supply, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called for judicious use of fuel, a halt to gold purchases and foreign travel for one year, among other measures, to strengthen the national economy.

Addressing a rally in Hyderabad organised by the Telangana unit of Bharatiya Janata Party, he suggested a cut in petrol and diesel consumption, using metro rail services in cities, carpooling, increased use of electric vehicles (EVs), utilising railway services for parcel movement and working from home to conserve oil and gas to help save foreign exchange amid the crisis in the Middle East.

"We got into work-from-home, virtual meetings, video conferencing and many other methods during Covid-19. We got used to them. The need of the hour is to resume those methods," Modi said.

He also called for reducing the consumption of edible oil, use of chemical fertilisers and promoting natural farming and indigenous products to save foreign exchange and make the country self-reliant.

"We have to save foreign exchange by any means," he said, adding that due to the Middle East crisis, prices of petrol and fertilisers had increased significantly.

When there is pressure on the supply chain, difficulties increase despite various government measures to address the situation, Modi said. "That's why, during a global crisis, keeping the country above all else, we have to take resolutions," he added.