Leaders use e-rickshaws, bicycles after PM’s fuel-saving appeal:Supporters still arrive in convoy; newly appointed MP corporation chairmen assume charge

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to citizens to reduce petrol and diesel consumption, newly appointed Madhya Pradesh Small Scale Industries Corporation Chairman Satyendra Bhushan Singh reached his office in Bhopal by e-rickshaw on Tuesday to assume charge. However, while Singh travelled in an e-rickshaw from his residence in Awadhpuri to the BJP office, several supporters accompanied him in cars and motorcycles. Madhya Pradesh Khadi and Village Industries Board Vice Chairman Rakesh Singh Jadaun also assumed office on Tuesday. He said he travelled to the BJP office in an e-rickshaw with only three people and was unaware of how many supporters arrived in other vehicles. State Energy Minister Pradyumn Singh Tomar reached the ministry on an e-scooter. See pictures Traffic congestion outside BJP office Despite the message of reducing fuel consumption, a large number of vehicles belonging to supporters gathered outside the BJP office, leading to traffic congestion on nearby roads. Madhya Pradesh Khadi and Village Industries Board Chairman Pankaj Joshi and Madhya Pradesh Kush Samaj Kalyan Board Chairman Prabhu Dayal Kushwaha also took charge of their respective posts. PM had appealed to reduce petrol-diesel use Amid the global uncertainty caused by the Israel-Iran conflict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently appealed to people to use petrol and diesel judiciously and avoid buying gold for one year. He also urged citizens to prioritise public transport, carpooling and work from home wherever possible to save fuel. High Court judge cycles to court in Jabalpur In Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh High Court Justice DD Bansal reached court by cycling around 3 km. Speaking to the media, Justice Bansal said it was wrong to believe that High Court judges could not travel by bicycle. He said people should save petrol and diesel wherever possible and described cycling as an issue linked to environmental protection and national interest. Justice Bansal said he was inspired by Madhya Pradesh High Court Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva. During the initiative, several High Court employees also travelled by bicycle carrying their bags and tiffins. BJP chief says PM’s appeal is influencing people BJP state president Hemant Khandelwal said the Prime Minister’s appeal was beginning to influence people. “Today our leaders started by travelling in e-rickshaws. Some supporters did arrive in vehicles, but we will continue appealing to party workers and citizens to reduce petrol and diesel consumption and use public transport,” he said. He added that reducing fuel consumption would help lower imports and decrease dependence on petrol and diesel.