Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis arrived at Mumbai’s Vidhan Bhavan on a motorcycle on Thursday, stepping away from his regular official convoy as part of the state government’s ongoing fuel conservation initiative. The move came in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal encouraging citizens and government departments to reduce fuel consumption.
According to reports by Moneycontrol and PTI, Fadnavis travelled to the state legislature on a two-wheeler along with Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar to attend the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected members of the Legislative Council. Videos of the chief minister’s arrival quickly surfaced on social media, drawing public attention to the symbolic gesture.
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) May 14, 2026
The motorcycle ride follows a series of austerity measures announced by the Maharashtra government to cut down official expenses and conserve fuel amid global uncertainty linked to the West Asia situation. As part of the initiative, the state has reduced the size of convoys used by ministers and senior officials. The government has also advised ministers to avoid unnecessary foreign travel and limit the use of government aircraft and helicopters.
Reports stated that ministers and bureaucrats are being encouraged to use public transport systems, including metro services, as part of the broader campaign to promote energy conservation. Officials have additionally been instructed to rely more on video conferencing instead of travelling for meetings whenever possible.
The chief minister’s decision to ride a motorcycle to Vidhan Bhavan was viewed as a public display of support for the state’s fuel-saving measures and an effort to set an example for government officials and citizens alike.