Modi Calls for Fuel Conservation, Carpooling and Return to Work-from-Home Measures

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged citizens and businesses to conserve fuel and revive work-from-home practices to cut petrol and diesel consumption. A surge in global energy prices is straining India's foreign exchange reserves as of May 10, 2026. Modi said high global fuel prices mean India must save foreign exchange by using less petrol and diesel.

Modi called for citizens and businesses to carpool and use electric cars. People and businesses should prioritise a return to work-from-home and online meetings, Modi said.

Work-from-home and online meetings were widely adopted during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Narendra Modi said reviving work-from-home practices would benefit the country.

The prime minister delivered the appeal six days after he greeted supporters at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in New Delhi on May 4, 2026. Modi greeted supporters at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in New Delhi on that date. "in the interest of the country," Modi said of the combined steps to conserve fuel, carpool, use electric cars and adopt the Covid-19 strategy of working from home.

The appeal marks a deliberate effort to reduce reliance on imported fuels at a moment when elevated international prices are pressuring India's external balances. Reporting from Chennai and New Delhi described the statement as focused on practical measures that had already proved effective years earlier during pandemic lockdowns.