PM Modi Calls for Fuel Restraint, Less Gold Buying, EV Push and Work-from-Home Revival Amid West Asia Oil Crisis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday appealed to Indians to adopt simple lifestyle changes to shield the economy from rising global fuel prices triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Speaking at a public event in Hyderabad where he inaugurated several development projects in Telangana, Modi urged citizens to cut back on petrol and diesel use, delay gold purchases, maximise electric vehicles (EVs), and bring back work-from-home practices.

The Prime Minister framed these steps as a collective national duty to conserve foreign exchange reserves at a time when global energy markets are under severe pressure. “We must use petrol and diesel with restraint,” he said, stressing that every litre saved helps reduce India’s dependence on costly imported crude.

Modi listed several practical measures for daily life. He encouraged people in cities with metro systems to prefer public transport, opt for carpooling when using private vehicles, and shift goods movement to railways wherever possible. For those who already own electric vehicles, he called for maximum usage to lower reliance on fossil fuels. “People with electric vehicles should try to use them as much as possible,” he added.

He also revived the spirit of pandemic-era efficiency, asking offices and institutions to prioritise work-from-home arrangements, online conferences and virtual meetings. “During the Corona period, we developed many systems of work from home, online meetings, and video conferences… Today, the demands of the times are such that if we restart these systems, it will be in the national interest,” Modi said.

In a direct appeal on personal spending, the Prime Minister asked families to postpone non-essential gold purchases - especially for weddings and functions - for at least one year. He described gold imports as a major drain on foreign currency reserves and urged citizens to view restraint as an act of patriotism. He similarly called for reduced consumption of edible (cooking) oil, calling it beneficial for both health and the economy.

Modi further requested people to avoid non-essential foreign travel, destination weddings abroad and overseas vacations for the next 12 months, while promoting domestic tourism and “Made in India” products instead. He positioned these choices as a form of “economic self-defence” for the country.

The remarks come against the backdrop of escalating tensions in West Asia that have disrupted oil supplies and pushed up global crude prices, raising concerns about inflation and pressure on India’s current account. Economists have noted that India, one of the world’s largest importers of crude oil and gold, remains vulnerable to such external shocks.