India, May 13 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed the Special Protection Group (SPG) to reduce his convoy size by at least 50% as part of the government's austerity measures aimed at cutting fuel consumption while addressing surging global energy prices caused by the continuing crisis in the Middle East.

Officials aware of the matter said that the PM has instructed the PMO to push for electric vehicles in his fleet.

"The size of the convoy has already been reduced over the last two days. It has been done without compromising security," an official aware of the matter confirmed.

PM Modi had on Sunday advised citizens to adopt a clutch of austerity measures, including car pooling, using public transport, working from home, buyin...