Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath rode an e‑auto to the Secretariat on May 14 and has withdrawn both of his official escorts as part of a fuel‑conservation move, he said. The minister told reporters the decision follows calls by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for public representatives to prioritise fuel saving because supplies are limited.
Nath began his day in Agartala by using a bicycle to complete local work, then used one vehicle to visit Lefunga and Gamchacobra before switching to an e‑auto for the trip to the Secretariat. He said the shift away from motorcars was deliberate rather than sudden.
“I have written a letter to the DGP to withdraw both my escorts,” the minister said, adding that if the prime minister can travel with a single vehicle, so can he. Nath framed the change as both an environmental and financial measure: for short journeys his vehicle’s fuel cost was around Rs 40,000, and using escorts pushed costs higher.
Nath acknowledged potential security concerns but downplayed them. “I may have political enemies, but I don’t think someone will kill me,” he said, noting that two personal security officers can accompany him when needed. He also highlighted the practicality of the e‑auto, saying one full charge allows about 100 km of travel.
The minister said he plans to use the e‑auto for two days and then reassess the arrangement, and that he is exploring other electric vehicle options. He emphasised that the primary aim is conserving fuel and protecting the environment while reducing expenditure.
By publicly abandoning escorts and switching to low‑emission transport, Nath has positioned the move as an example for officials and citizens to cut fuel use; whether other leaders follow suit remains to be seen.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/tripura/story/tripura-power-minister-reaches-secretariat-in-e-auto-withdraws-escorts-1391908-2026-05-14?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-05-14 18:38:00
