India, May 14 -- Delhi government ministers and senior officials on Wednesday began adopting a series of austerity and fuel-conservation measures following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to reduce petroleum consumption amid the prevailing global situation. Government sources said ministers are prioritising the use of public transport and carpooling, restricting official vehicle usage, and halting foreign travel.

Chief minister Rekha Gupta said the government has decided to reduce the use of official vehicles and encourage ministers, legislators and officials to rely more on public transport and carpooling.

"The Prime Minister has called upon citizens to conserve petrol and diesel and turn energy conservation into a mass movement ...