Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged citizens to use petrol, diesel, gas, and other imported petroleum products with restraint in view of the ongoing crisis in West Asia. He said reducing unnecessary fuel consumption would help India save valuable foreign exchange reserves and lessen the economic impact of global conflicts.
Addressing a public event in Telangana, the Prime Minister virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth nearly Rs 9,400 crore. During his speech, Modi highlighted the importance of energy conservation at a time when several countries are facing severe energy-related challenges due to geopolitical tensions.
He said India has made significant progress in strengthening its energy sector over the past few years. According to Modi, the country has emerged among the leading nations in solar energy production, while major efforts have also been made to increase ethanol blending in petrol.
The Prime Minister said the Centre has consistently focused on expanding access to cleaner and affordable energy across the country. He noted that the government first concentrated on achieving 100 per cent LPG coverage and is now working towards providing piped gas connections at affordable rates. He also mentioned that the government is promoting a CNG-based transportation and energy system.
Modi said these measures have helped India manage the global energy crisis more effectively compared to many other nations. However, he stressed that the current international situation requires responsible fuel consumption practices.
“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,” the Prime Minister said during his address.
The remarks come at a time when concerns over global energy supply and fuel prices have intensified due to instability in West Asia. India, being one of the world’s largest importers of crude oil, remains sensitive to fluctuations in international energy markets.
During the event, Modi also spoke about development and cooperation between the Centre and state governments. Referring to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, he said development efforts should remain above political differences.
The Prime Minister stated that he would also avoid political discussions during the programme and assured the Telangana government of full support from the Centre for development initiatives. He invited the state government to work together in achieving the broader vision of national progress.
Modi said democracy allows governments of different political parties to function in states and at the Centre, but development should remain the common priority. He stressed that India’s growth is directly linked to the progress of individual states.
“The country’s development is not possible without the development of states,” he said while calling for collective efforts to achieve the goal of “Viksit Bharat 2047”.
The Prime Minister further said India is implementing reforms at a rapid pace while simultaneously building modern infrastructure across sectors. He assured the people of Telangana that the Union government would continue working with greater speed to fulfil their aspirations and development needs.
Highlighting infrastructure growth in Telangana, Modi said the National Highway network in the state has doubled over the last 11 years. He described infrastructure expansion as an important driver of economic growth, connectivity, and employment generation.
The development projects launched and inaugurated during the programme are expected to strengthen infrastructure and public services in Telangana. The Prime Minister’s speech, however, remained largely focused on energy security, economic stability, and coordinated development between the Centre and states amid global uncertainties.
