Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Halves Convoy, Opts for Bus Travel During Maharashtra Tour to Save Fuel
Pune, 13th May 2026: In a significant move aimed at fuel conservation and public convenience, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has ordered a 50% reduction in his official convoy for his upcoming two-day tour in Maharashtra. Shedding the traditional VIP motorcade, the Minister has instead chosen to travel by bus.
Gadkari is scheduled to inspect the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palakhi Marg highway projects on May 14 and 15, 2026.
According to an official directive issued on Wednesday, the decision stems from the Prime Minister’s advice emphasizing the need to reduce transport fuel consumption in the interest of national energy security.
“I have decided to undertake travel by bus along with accompanying officers, journalists, and security personnel,” Gadkari stated in the letter. The Minister noted that consolidating the entourage into a bus will not only save fuel but also ensure better traffic management and minimize disruptions for the general public.
To implement the measure, the Minister’s office has formally instructed local authorities to scale down the convoy strictly to 50% of its usual deployment. The directives have been issued to the Commissioner of Police for Pune City, as well as the District Collectors and Superintendents of Police for Pune, Satara, and Solapur.
Copies of the instructions were also forwarded to Maharashtra’s Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to ensure seamless coordination and appropriate security arrangements during the high-profile tour.
