Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed a 50% reduction in the size of his official convoy, marking the clearest signal yet of the Centre’s austerity push amid concerns over fuel consumption and global uncertainty linked to the West Asia conflict.

According to a TOI report, Modi instructed the Special Protection Group (SPG), the elite force responsible for his security, to cut the number of vehicles in his convoy by half.

He also asked officials to increase the use of electric vehicles already available in the fleet while avoiding the purchase of new vehicles to prevent additional expenditure.

The SPG has begun implementing the directive while ensuring that mandatory security protocols laid out in the Blue Book are not compromised.

Sources said the Prime Minister’s convoy appeared visibly smaller during his recent visits outside Delhi.

The development comes days after Modi, during a public event in Hyderabad on Sunday, appealed to citizens to reduce fuel consumption and postpone unnecessary gold purchases.