Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indians on Sunday to use petrol, diesel, and gas with "great restraint" amid a crisis in West Asia [1].
The appeal comes as a blockade of the Hormuz Strait disrupts global fuel supplies and drives up oil prices. By reducing consumption, the government aims to conserve foreign exchange and ensure that domestic fuel remains available during the volatility.
Speaking in Hyderabad, Modi said, "We need to use petrol, diesel and gas with great restraint" [1]. He called for a reduction in the use of petrol and diesel while urging citizens to prioritize work-from-home arrangements [2].
The Prime Minister's call for restraint is a response to the escalating instability in West Asia, which has threatened the flow of energy resources. The disruption in the region has created a precarious environment for oil-importing nations, placing a strain on national reserves and currency stability [3].
Modi said, "Reduce petrol, diesel use; prioritise work from home" [2]. This strategy seeks to lower the overall demand for fuel within the country to mitigate the impact of rising global costs.
Beyond the public appeal, the government has taken regulatory steps to manage the crisis. India has raised the export duty on diesel and jet fuel to discourage outflows and prioritize internal needs [3].
““We need to use petrol, diesel and gas with great restraint.””
This appeal signals a shift toward emergency energy conservation to protect India's macroeconomic stability. By encouraging work-from-home and fuel restraint, the administration is attempting to reduce the current account deficit caused by spiking oil prices and the physical blockade of critical shipping lanes in West Asia.
