Ahmedabad, May 13 (IANS) Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat travelled by train from Ahmedabad to New Delhi on Wednesday as part of a wider set of austerity and fuel-conservation measures adopted in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent call for “economic self-defence”.​

The Governor departed from Sabarmati Railway Station in Ahmedabad for his onward journey to Kurukshetra, accompanied by Lady Governor Darshana Devi.​

Senior railway officials received the couple at the station before the train’s scheduled departure.​

During the visit, the Governor also reviewed ongoing redevelopment work at the station.​

According to officials, the Governor has decided to avoid helicopter and air travel for official engagements within Gujarat until the petroleum situation normalises, and instead use trains, Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) buses and other forms of public transport.​

The decision follows the Prime Minister’s seven-point appeal made in Hyderabad on May 10, urging citizens and public officials to reduce fuel consumption and adopt economically prudent practices amid global uncertainties.​

The Governor said the measures were aimed at supporting fuel conservation and reducing unnecessary expenditure.​

He also ordered that the number of vehicles in his official convoy be kept to the minimum required despite his Z-plus security cover. “Every drop of fuel and every rupee saved is a contribution to India’s self-reliance,” he said during a meeting with officials at Lok Bhavan in Gandhinagar.​

As part of the broader initiative, the Governor has directed vice-chancellors of state universities to observe one “combustion engine-free” day every week.​

Universities have been asked to encourage students and staff to use bicycles, electric vehicles, and public transport instead of petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles on those days.​

Government departments were also advised to avoid unnecessary use of official vehicles and adopt fuel-saving practices in routine administrative work.​

The latest train journey follows a series of public transport initiatives undertaken by the Governor in recent weeks.​

Earlier this month, he travelled on a GSRTC bus from Surat’s Adajan bus stand to Jinod village in Olpad taluka, where he purchased his own ticket digitally and interacted with fellow passengers during the journey.​

Officials said the Governor’s decisions were intended to reflect the “Nation First” approach highlighted by the Prime Minister while encouraging administrative restraint and conservation measures across public institutions.​

–IANS

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