‘Use petrol, gas, diesel with restraint, work from home, don't purchase gold’: Modi amid fuel crisis due to US-Iran war

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday emphasized the importance of consuming petroleum products with moderation given the ongoing West Asia crisis.

Addressing an event where he virtually inaugurated and laid foundations for projects totaling roughly ₹9,400 crore in Telangana, Modi advised that imported fuel should be utilized only when necessary. He noted that such restraint would conserve foreign exchange and mitigate the economic shocks caused by international conflict.

"But, today, the need of the hour is also to use petrol, gas, diesel and such things with great restraint. We have to use imported petro products only as per need. This will not only save foreign exchange but reduce the adverse impact of war," he said.

He also said that work-from-home and other similar measures adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic should be brought back.

“During the Corona period, we developed many systems of work from home, online meetings, and video conferences, and we even became accustomed to them. Today, the demands of the times are such that if we restart these systems, it will be in the national interest. We must prioritise work from home, online conferences, and virtual meetings again,” Modi said.

Highlighting India's rise as a global leader in solar energy over recent years, Modi also pointed to the significant progress made in ethanol-petrol blending.

The Prime Minister detailed the government's transition from achieving total LPG coverage to expanding affordable piped gas and promoting CNG infrastructure. He credited these strategic shifts with helping India navigate the global energy crunch more effectively.

Offering the Union Government’s full support to Telangana, Modi invited Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to participate in the nation's developmental progress.

"I would tell Revanth ji. I am ready to give you as much as the Centre gave to Gujarat during 10 years rule. But, as per my information, I will tell you. The moment I do that, what you are getting would become half. You will not be able to reach where you want to reach. That's why, it is better you join with me," he said.

The PM remarked that while having different political parties in power is a natural part of democracy, the advancement of individual states remains vital to national growth. He stressed that a "Viksit Bharat 2047" requires collective action, as the country cannot prosper if its states do not.

He also said the country is implementing reforms at speed, and is also building modern infrastructure. He said he would like to assure every family in Telangana that the Centre will continue to work "with greater speed to realise your dreams".

Modi highlighted that Telangana's National Highway network has doubled over the past 11 years. Critiquing the former UPA administration, he noted that prior to 2014, the annual railway budget for undivided Andhra Pradesh was under ₹1,000 crore. Today, Telangana alone receives ₹5,500 crore, with ongoing railway projects in the state valued at ₹50,000 crore.

"Are you listening Revanth ji? During the undivided AP, the railway budget was less than ₹1,000 crore. I am not talking about undivided AP today, Telangana's railway budget alone is ₹5,500 crore," Modi said. In his earlier remarks, CM Revanth Reddy requested federal backing for state initiatives, including the Musi River rejuvenation, the "Future City" project, and metro expansion.

Reddy asked for a two-hour meeting with the Prime Minister to review these proposals. He confirmed that the "Telangana Rising 2047" vision aligns with the federal "Viksit Bharat" objective, aiming to transform the state into a USD 3 trillion economy by 2047.