India, May 15 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to citizens to save fuel in the national interest is both timely and necessary. At a time when rising global crude prices, environmental degradation and growing urban congestion are placing enormous pressure on India's economy, energy conservation cannot remain merely a matter of public responsibility. The government itself must lead by example through serious structural reforms and policy changes that reduce unnecessary fuel consumption and discourage the culture of excessive automobile dependence.

One of the first steps should be a complete ban on extravagant political roadshows and large election rallies that involve thousands of vehicles, helicopters, diesel generators and massiv...