Lucknow, May 14 -- Invest UP on Wednesday held a high-level virtual interaction with leading industry associations across the state to encourage responsible resource utilisation, energy efficiency, and sustainable industrial practices after the appeals made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Yogi Adityanath on fuel conservation and economic prudence. The meeting was chaired by infrastructure and industrial development commissioner (IIDC) Deepak Kumar and co-chaired by additional chief secretary, infrastructure and industrial development, Alok Kumar. The discussion focused on practical measures to reduce fuel dependency, optimise operational costs, and strengthen economic resilience amid evolving global challenges. Addressing the participants, Deepak Kumar stressed the need for industries to adopt practical and immediately implementable measures such as promoting work-from-home arrangements, encouraging virtual meetings, carpooling, and greater use of public transport to reduce unnecessary fuel consumption. He also called for minimising electricity usage through the use of natural daylight and restricting decorative lighting in commercial establishments. The IIDC encouraged industries to shift freight transportation from roadways to railways wherever feasible and promote electric vehicle adoption by supporting the development of charging infrastructure. He further emphasised the need to strengthen local consumption, support One District One Product (ODOP) initiatives, and reduce unnecessary dependence on imports to build a stronger and more self-reliant economy. During the meeting, industry bodies shared several constructive suggestions. Laghu Udyog Bharati recommended the reintroduction of net metering to accelerate solar energy adoption, while FICCI proposed the use of advanced road technologies such as microsurfacing and Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) to reduce bitumen imports. PHDCCI called for faster EV subsidy implementation and a dedicated solar policy, while CII suggested staggered office timings and hybrid schooling models to reduce traffic congestion and fuel usage. The virtual session witnessed participation from leading industry associations and trade bodies including Assocham, Ficci, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Nasscom India, Indian Industries Association (IIA), PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), Merchants' Chamber of Uttar Pradesh, Eastern U.P. Exporters Association, among others....