From Metro To E-Rickshaw: Leaders Take Public Transport To Back PM's Fuel-Saving Appeal

Last Updated:May 12, 2026, 23:06 IST

The public displays of support come after PM Modi’s appeal on Sunday, urging citizens to cut down on petrol and diesel usage amid global energy disruptions.

In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to reduce fuel consumption amid global energy pressures due to the West Asia war, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday travelled by public transport, including the metro and an e-rickshaw, in support of the Prime Minister’s call.

In Delhi, BJP leader and Education Minister Ashish Sood travelled from INA to Karkardooma Court via the Delhi Metro before taking an e-rickshaw to CM Shri School in Surajmal Vihar for an official interaction programme. He was seen speaking to commuters during his metro journey and later boarding the e-rickshaw after getting caught in traffic.

Sood said the move was a conscious effort to reduce fuel use, noting that officials typically travel in multiple vehicles during school inspection visits, which increases consumption.

Sharing details of his journey on social media platform X, Sood said he used the metro and e-rickshaw to attend the school programme. “I had a meaningful discussion with the HOS of Zone-1 & 2 regarding further improving the education system and making it more student-centric," he added.

In Mumbai, Union Minister and Republican Party of India chief Ramdas Athawale also took the Metro-3 Aqua Line from Vidhan Bhavan to Dharavi. He called the ride as smooth and modern, urging citizens to adopt public transport more widely to save fuel and support the economy.

“Through this journey, I experienced the modern, fast, and world-class facilities of the metro. Saving fuel, protecting the environment, and strengthening the country’s economy—making greater use of public transportation is the need of the hour today," Athawale wrote on X.

The public displays of support come after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal on Sunday, urging citizens to cut down on petrol and diesel usage amid global energy disruptions. The Prime Minister had suggested greater use of metro services, carpooling, electric vehicles, and work-from-home arrangements to conserve foreign exchange.

He had also encouraged reduced non-essential travel and wider adoption of public transport in cities as part of broader austerity measures.

(With inputs from agencies)

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