Naidu Halves Vehicle Fleet in Convoy to Save Fuel Amid Global Crisis

Andhra Pradesh's political landscape shifted gears Thursday when Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu rolled out with a dramatically downsized convoy. Responding to PM Modi's fuel-saving mandate, Naidu reduced his motorcade from a dozen cars to a mere four. The change took effect immediately, with Naidu's team departing his official residence for the secretariat in the leanest formation yet. Officials confirmed this as a permanent adjustment to curb fuel expenditure. Naidu didn't stop at directives—he led by action and rallied others. Ministers across the board, including Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, trimmed their convoys. Kalyan's office shared footage of his compact procession, tying the move to Middle East instability threatening oil supplies. Nara Lokesh, the CM's son and a key minister, went further by ordering his escort down to two vehicles. This collective cutback addresses PM Modi's call amid fears of petroleum scarcity hitting India. In a Wednesday rally, Naidu lambasted extravagant travel habits among officials. He advocated for 'purposeful security' over bloated entourages, urging citizens to join the conservation drive. The ripple effect is evident: multiple cabinet members have adopted smaller fleets. This strategic austerity not only conserves resources but signals Andhra Pradesh's commitment to national resilience against global energy shocks.