Amid Fuel Supply Concerns, Odisha CM Majhi Pushes Carpool & Fuel Allowance Cuts in Eight-Point Plan
📅 May 22, 2026 | Source: New Indian Express / IANS | Topic: Carpooling & Fuel Policy
Amid rising concerns over fuel supply disruptions triggered by the ongoing West Asia crisis, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has unveiled a sweeping eight-point directive aimed at cutting petrol and diesel consumption across all state government operations — with mandatory carpooling for senior officers taking centre stage.
Why This Matters
The directive comes as global oil supply chains face pressure from geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The Odisha government’s proactive response signals a shift in how Indian states are approaching fuel dependency — not just as an environmental concern, but as a supply security and fiscal efficiency issue.
CM Majhi, who had already led by example by reducing his own official convoy, issued formal orders applicable across all government departments — from the state secretariat down to block-level offices, public undertakings, and universities.
The 8-Point Directive at a Glance
- 1Virtual Meetings First: All official meetings, reviews, training, and workshops must be held virtually unless physical presence is strictly essential.
- 2EV Purchase Mandate (June 1, 2026): All newly purchased government two-wheelers and four-wheelers must be electric vehicles. Petrol/diesel procurement will require special approval.
- 3Rental EVs Only: Government vehicles hired on a rental basis from June 1 must also be electric.
- 4Mandatory Carpooling for Senior Officers: Officers allotted government vehicles for personal official use must adopt carpooling. Fuel allocation for such vehicles will be cut by 50%.
- 5Finance Department Guidelines: Within 15 days, the Finance Department will specify which categories of senior officers are eligible to use government vehicles for personal official purposes.
- 6Public Transport for Long Distances: Officials travelling on official duty to distant locations must use buses or trains instead of personal/official cars.
- 7Personal EV Policy: The Finance Department will formulate guidelines for officers using their own electric vehicles for official work.
- 8Electric Buses for Staff Commute: Electric buses and mini-buses will be arranged from high-density staff residential areas to government offices, with a mandatory 10% monthly fuel reduction target for all departments.
Broader State Initiatives
The directive is part of a larger fuel-austerity push across the state:
- Utkal University has restricted petrol and diesel vehicles on Saturdays (9 AM–5 PM), following a recommendation by Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati.
- OSRTC Electrification: Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena announced a phased conversion of all state buses to EVs, in line with PM Modi’s vision.
- EV Charging Infrastructure: Of 100 planned charging stations across Odisha, 30 are under active construction — including 15 in Bhubaneswar.
Why Carpooling Is the Right Answer
Odisha’s push for mandatory government carpooling validates what sRide has championed for years: shared mobility is the most practical, scalable way to cut fuel costs and reduce traffic — without waiting for EV infrastructure to catch up.
Whether you’re a government officer or a daily office commuter, carpooling just 3 days a week can cut your fuel bill by nearly 40%. sRide makes it easy to find verified co-passengers on your route — safely, affordably, and sustainably.
Sources: Social News XYZ / IANS, Organiser, New Indian Express