UP minister cycles his way to office; backs fuel conservation drive

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh finance and parliamentary affairs minister Suresh Kumar Khanna on Thursday cycled from his official residence at 10, Kalidas Marg to his office at the state assembly, endorsing PM Narendra Modi’s appeal to reduce fuel consumption and chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s call for austerity and energy conservation.Khanna said he would use a bicycle for commuting to office at least once every week as part of efforts to promote fuel conservation and environmentally sustainable modes of transport.Calling fuel conservation a “national responsibility,” the minister said India imports nearly 85% to 86% of its petroleum products from abroad, resulting in a substantial outflow of foreign exchange.“Saving fuels like petrol and diesel is the duty of every citizen. In the present global circumstances and international challenges, the need of the hour is to minimise fuel consumption and adopt alternative and environment-friendly means of transport,” he said.He also appealed to citizens to contribute towards national interest by making greater use of bicycles, public transport and shared vehicles wherever possible.The move comes amid the Uttar Pradesh govt’s broader push for austerity measures and energy conservation following recent appeals by PM Modi and directions issued by Yogi to ministers and officials to cut down their fleet size by 50% and reduce unnecessary use of official vehicles.Uttar Pradesh horticulture minister Dinesh Pratap Singh on Thursday travelled by e-rickshaw from his official residence in Gautam Palli to the directorate of horticulture.The minister said the initiative was aimed at spreading awareness about fuel conservation, reduction in pollution and the need to adopt eco-friendly modes of transport amid prevailing global circumstances.