Madhya Pradesh cabinet minister and Damoh district in-charge Inder Singh Parmar reached Damoh by Rajrani Express on Wednesday night, responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to reduce fuel consumption and promote the use of public transport. The minister said the move was aimed at supporting national interests and reducing dependence on imported fuel during a period of global uncertainty.

BJP workers welcomed the minister at Damoh railway station after his arrival. Senior district officials, including the Collector and Superintendent of Police, also greeted him at the Circuit House. Parmar is scheduled to attend official programmes in the district on Thursday, including the inauguration of an additional barrack at the district jail.

Speaking to the media after arriving in Damoh, the minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made the appeal keeping the country’s dignity and economic interests in mind. He urged citizens to cooperate with the Prime Minister’s call and adopt fuel-saving measures in their daily lives.

Parmar referred to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri’s leadership during the food crisis of the 1960s, when citizens were encouraged to observe weekly fasts to support the nation. He said similar public participation was required during challenging times to strengthen the country and reduce pressure on national resources.

The minister also spoke about the global energy situation and ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly the conflict involving Iran and the United States, which he claimed had raised concerns over the availability and pricing of petrol, diesel, and gas in international markets. According to Parmar, the Prime Minister’s appeal was intended to prepare the country for possible future challenges linked to energy imports and foreign exchange outflow.

He stated that India remains heavily dependent on other countries for crude oil and fuel supplies because domestic production is limited. Parmar said rising international tensions could affect fuel availability and prices, making conservation necessary for economic stability.

The minister further said the Prime Minister had appealed to people to avoid unnecessary imports, including gold imports, to prevent excessive outflow of foreign currency in the form of dollars. He clarified that there was no restriction on purchasing gold already available within the country, but reducing imports would help strengthen the economy.

Parmar stressed that public transport should be preferred wherever possible. He said citizens should use fuel only according to necessity and avoid wastage to help the country manage future challenges effectively. He added that even in his personal and official travel, he tries to minimise vehicle usage.

“I personally use only two vehicles, and when travelling from Bhopal to my विधानसभा constituency, I prefer using a single vehicle,” the minister said while appealing to people to support the Prime Minister’s initiative.

The minister said collective public cooperation would play a key role in reducing fuel consumption and protecting the country’s economic interests. He added that every citizen should contribute responsibly to ensure that India remains economically strong during periods of international instability.

The development has sparked discussions in political and public circles regarding fuel conservation, government expenditure, and the role of public representatives in setting examples through their own conduct. Supporters of the move described it as a symbolic but important step towards encouraging responsible fuel usage and strengthening public awareness about energy conservation.

The minister’s train journey also comes at a time when discussions around sustainable transport and reduction of fuel dependency are gaining importance across the country. With increasing concerns over global oil supply disruptions and rising import costs, government leaders have started emphasising public participation in resource conservation measures.

Officials said the minister’s visit to Damoh will continue through Thursday with administrative meetings and public programmes scheduled during the day. Security arrangements were also made at the railway station and Circuit House during his arrival.

The appeal for greater use of public transport and controlled fuel consumption is likely to remain a key discussion point in coming weeks as governments continue monitoring global energy markets and economic conditions. The issue has also become part of wider conversations around national savings, environmental responsibility, and efficient public resource management.

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