PM Modi urges reduced fuel use, work from home, and gold/travel curbs amid energy disruption

Modi urged people to support Make in India products and choose Indian alternatives for everyday items such as toothpaste, while promoting the use of electric vehicles and solar-powered pumps as substitutes for diesel-operated ones.

The remarks come amid a global energy disruption as the Strait of Hormuz blockade nears 75 days; the government is tapping multiple sources to procure oil and gas as supplies tighten, with crude prices rising for the third straight month and oil companies yet to raise pump prices, though they are expected to in the coming days.

Speaking on energy imports, Modi noted that India imports about 90% of its crude and highlighted universal LPG coverage and expansion of affordable piped gas, while stressing the need to support Make in India and to choose Indian alternatives for everyday items.

Amid fertiliser supply challenges, Modi suggested farmers halve chemical fertiliser use and shift to natural farming in some cases.

He proposed reducing cooking oil consumption by 50%, stating that the move would improve health.

Modi urged returning to Covid-era efficiency measures such as work-from-home, asked businesses to move goods by rail, and appealed to individuals to avoid unnecessary travel and carpooling while using electric vehicles as alternatives to diesel.

At an event in Hyderabad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for using public transport and reviving work-from-home arrangements to reduce dependence on petrol and diesel, largely imported. He urged saving foreign exchange by avoiding overseas weddings and vacations and postponing non-essential gold purchases, saying small changes for a year could substantially reduce the country's foreign exchange outgo.