Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for fuel conservation, reduced travel, and responsible energy use amid rising global tensions has triggered widespread discussion across India. While some view it as a timely and necessary step, others have raised questions over its practicality.
During the periods of energy crisis due to conflicts in West Asia and other countries, several countries have introduced even stricter measures to control the fuel demand and defend their economies.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) data, almost 40 countries and the European Commission have enforced emergency energy-saving measures to face the stress on global fuel.
Such measures include fuel rationing, car-pooling, vehicle speed-limits, increased public transport, and conscious consumption.
Strict measures in several countries
Several nations have gone beyond appeals and implemented direct restrictions. Reported steps include:
- Odd-even vehicle systems in countries like South Korea
- QR-based fuel rationing in Sri Lanka
- Speed limits in Pakistan
- Alternate-day travel systems in Myanmar
In addition, 13 countries have encouraged or mandated work-from-home for government employees, while some have adopted hybrid work models and reduced office working days to cut transport fuel usage.
Workplace and travel restrictions
Several governments have also adjusted work patterns and travel rules:
- Pakistan has experimented with reduced working weeks and remote work policies
- Indonesia has encouraged work-from-home on specific days
- Sri Lanka has implemented mid-week office closures in some sectors
Countries such as Jordan, Malaysia, Egypt, and Pakistan have also placed temporary restrictions on non-essential foreign travel and official trips to conserve fuel and foreign exchange.
Broader energy-saving steps
Other commonly adopted measures include:
- Limiting air-conditioner temperatures (typically 24-26 degrees Celsius)
- Reducing the operating hours of markets and public offices
- Promoting public transport usage
- Running nationwide awareness campaigns on energy conservation
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In extreme cases, Madagascar even declared a short-term energy emergency to manage supply pressures.
India’s current approach
In contrast to several countries that have imposed mandatory curbs/rationing, India has so far stressed appeals and voluntary cooperation only. Indians have been asked to save fuel and travel less and use public transportation for unnecessary journeys and conserve energy through other habits and behaviours, but there have been no mandatory curbs/rationing systems imposed in place.
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