New Delhi, May 14 -- Several National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-ruled states have begun reducing official convoys, limiting foreign travel, encouraging work from home and promoting public transport, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to conserve fuel and reduce foreign exchange outflow amid the ongoing West Asia crisis. The push came after PM Modi on May 10 urged citizens to cut down petrol and diesel consumption, avoid non-essential foreign travel, reduce gold purchases and adopt other fuel-conservation measures. Officials aware of the matter said the PM has also directed the Special Protection Group (SPG) to reduce the size of his convoy by at least 50%. "A downsizing in the prime minister's convoy was implemented in his recent domestic visits. The reduction was done while maintaining essential security components as per the SPG protocol. Modi's convoy size was cut in Gujarat and Assam, immediately after his speech in Hyderabad during which he suggested an array of measures for reducing expenditure on imports," an official aware of the matter confirmed. The official added that the PM also asked for electric vehicles to be included in his convoy, wherever possible, without making new purchases. Union home minister Amit Shah has similarly trimmed his convoy size, people aware of the developments said. Heeding the PM's appeal, Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma reduced his convoy to five vehicles and directed that unnecessary vehicles should not be used in official cavalcades. He also instructed all officials and public representatives, including the chief secretary, to adopt similar practices, according to a government spokesperson. Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary, in a social media post appealed to ministers, legislators and public representatives to avoid using additional vehicles while attending public programmes. He urged citizens to observe a "no vehicle day" once a week and prioritise public transport. All state departments have been directed to hold meetings through video conferencing, while offices have been advised to encourage work-from-home wherever possible, he said. Likewise, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state cabinet has started downsizing convoys of ministers and officials, reducing fuel expenditure by 20% compared to the previous financial year and discouraging physical seminars and meetings. Sarma also announced that government officials would avoid foreign travel for the next six months except in medical emergencies. "We have decided not to purchase any new vehicles for the next six months and will encourage scrapping of vehicles in a big way," Sarma added. Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai said his convoy was reduced and that the government would gradually shift official vehicles to electric mobility. "Only essential vehicles will now be included in my convoy during official tours," Sai said, urging citizens to maximise use of public transport and adopt carpooling. Union minister Nitin Gadkari has also directed authorities in Maharashtra to reduce the number of vehicles in his convoy by 50% during his two-day state visit beginning Thursday. Gadkari told local authorities that he would travel by bus along with officers, journalists and security personnel to reduce fuel consumption and improve traffic management....