The impact of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s appeal for fuel conservation is now visible in Ujjain administration’s functioning. From Wednesday, senior administrative officials in Ujjain started travelling together in a single traveller bus instead of using multiple government vehicles for inspection of Simhastha-related works. Officials said the move was aimed at reducing unnecessary fuel consumption, lowering government expenditure, and minimising traffic congestion during official inspections.

Officials Travel Together

On Wednesday morning, nearly 15 senior officers travelled together in an Urbania traveller vehicle to inspect the 29-kilometre-long ghat development area being prepared for the upcoming Simhastha fair in Ujjain. The inspection team included Divisional Commissioner and Simhastha Mela Officer Ashish Singh, Collector Roshan Kumar Singh, Municipal Commissioner Abhilash Mishra, UDA CEO Sandeep Soni, Tehsildar Alok Chore, and officers from the Water Resources Department, traffic police, and other departments. Officials jointly reviewed construction activities and infrastructure arrangements being developed for pilgrims expected during the religious gathering.

Daily Inspection Continues

Administrative officials have been conducting regular inspections of Simhastha preparations for the last one week.Earlier, officers from different departments used to reach the inspection site in nearly 15 separate vehicles every day. These included SUVs and official cars belonging to departments such as PWD, Revenue, Municipal Corporation, Water Resources, and Police.Officials generally travelled nearly 16 kilometres daily during inspections apart from additional travel from their official residences to the ghat area. According to administrative estimates, most vehicles used for inspections were high-fuel-consumption SUVs with air conditioners running continuously during field visits.

Major Reduction in Fuel Use

Officials explained that fuel consumption and expenditure have reduced significantly after the shift to a common traveller bus. Earlier, each vehicle reportedly consumed nearly four litres of fuel during inspection rounds. Based on the number of vehicles involved, daily expenditure on petrol and diesel was estimated at around Rs 6,750.

However, on the first day of the new arrangement, the traveller bus reportedly covered nearly 12 kilometres while consuming only around 2.5 litres of diesel. Officials said the fuel expense for the bus trip remained below Rs 250, though the vehicle itself has been hired at a daily rental cost of around Rs 4,100. The administration believes the move will still result in overall savings by reducing multiple vehicle usage and operational expenses.

Traffic Pressure Also Reduced

Collector Roshan Kumar Singh said the earlier practice of multiple government vehicles moving together created unnecessary traffic pressure in the city. He stated that a convoy of several official vehicles often caused inconvenience to regular commuters and increased congestion near inspection routes. Now, with all officials travelling in one vehicle, both fuel use and traffic-related issues are expected to reduce considerably. Officials described the initiative as a practical administrative reform that could be adopted in other government activities as well.

Inspection of Simhastha Works

The inspections are focused on preparations for Simhastha, one of the largest religious gatherings in the country, where crores of devotees are expected to arrive in Ujjain. Authorities are currently reviewing development of ghats, approach roads, public facilities, traffic arrangements, and infrastructure projects linked to the event. Officials begin inspections early in the morning and also conduct foot surveys covering nearly six kilometres daily to examine on-ground progress. During the visits, officers issue instructions to contractors and department teams regarding quality, timelines, and public convenience. Construction and beautification works are currently underway at several ghats along the Shipra river.

Administration Stresses Teamwork

Simhastha Mela Officer Ashish Singh said the new travel arrangement was introduced in line with the fuel-saving message given by the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister. He stated that earlier, officers from different departments travelled separately, leading to avoidable fuel consumption and higher government expenditure. Travelling together in one vehicle, he said, would not only save fuel but also strengthen coordination and teamwork among officials. Administrative officers believe discussions during shared travel will also improve communication and faster decision-making during field inspections.

The initiative is being viewed as a symbolic but significant step towards promoting fuel conservation and environmentally responsible governance. Experts say government departments adopting shared transportation methods can reduce fuel dependency and help lower emissions in urban areas. The move has also generated discussion among citizens regarding efficient use of public resources and reduction in VIP-style vehicle movement. The administration’s decision comes amid wider national conversations around energy conservation, sustainable transport, and responsible governance practices. Officials indicated that similar measures may be considered for other government inspection activities in future if the model proves effective.

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