PM Modi urges fuel cuts, WFH, gold pause amid 2026 crisis

What PM Modi said in Hyderabad

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked citizens and businesses to cut fuel consumption and reduce import-linked spending, citing global disruptions impacting energy supplies. Speaking at an event in Hyderabad, he said the “need of the hour” was to use petrol, gas and diesel with restraint. He linked lower consumption of imported petroleum products with saving foreign exchange and reducing the adverse impact of war. He also called for bringing back Covid-era efficiency measures such as work-from-home (WFH) arrangements in the national interest. The appeal comes amid fears of a fuel-price surge as the West Asia conflict continues to disrupt energy markets.

Why the call now: oil and gas disruption and import exposure

Modi’s remarks were framed against prolonged turbulence in the energy market and rising import costs. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has stretched close to 75 days, affecting oil and gas supplies and pushing up crude prices globally. The article notes that India imports nearly 90% of its crude oil needs, leaving it vulnerable to global supply shocks. For Indian refiners, the disruption has translated into higher crude prices for the third straight month, as the government taps multiple sources to procure oil and gas.

Fuel-saving measures: public transport, carpooling, EVs

The Prime Minister urged people to shift daily mobility habits to reduce petrol and diesel usage. He encouraged wider use of public transport, avoiding unnecessary travel, and carpooling. He also pitched greater adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and suggested using solar-powered pumps as an alternative to diesel-operated pumps. Without directly announcing any price increase, he repeatedly stressed the need to conserve fuel at a time when petrol and diesel are expensive globally. The stated objective was straightforward: reduce foreign exchange spent on petroleum imports.

WFH returns as a “Covid-era efficiency measure”

A notable part of the appeal was Modi’s push to revive work-from-home arrangements. He presented WFH as a practical way to lower commuting demand and fuel usage while retaining workplace efficiency. The suggestion referenced pandemic-era changes that reduced travel volumes and helped many organisations run with fewer physical movements. The emphasis, in his words, was on making “a few small changes for a year” to save “substantial foreign exchange.”

Cutting “non-essential” gold buying and foreign travel

Modi also focused on discretionary spending that draws on foreign exchange. He asked people to avoid “non-essential” gold purchases for a year, including gold purchases for weddings, and to put off unnecessary foreign travel. He specifically mentioned avoiding overseas weddings and vacations. His argument was that temporary restraint on such spending would ease pressure on the external account during a period of elevated import bills. The message was positioned as a one-year behavioural change rather than a permanent restriction.

Edible oil and fertilisers: import bill and consumption habits

Beyond fuel and gold, the Prime Minister highlighted other import-heavy items. He proposed reducing cooking oil consumption by 50%, saying it would help both the economy and public health. He also urged farmers to halve the use of chemical fertilisers and shift to natural farming in some cases, referencing a hit to fertiliser supply. In a comparison aimed at explaining subsidy support, he said that in other countries a bag of urea costs around Rs 3,000, while Indian farmers get it for Rs 300.

“Make in India” push and everyday substitutions

Modi also asked citizens to support Make in India products and choose Indian alternatives for everyday items such as toothpaste. The wider framing tied consumption choices to conserving foreign exchange and reducing reliance on imports during global disruptions. He invoked a sense of collective participation, arguing that national duty includes living responsibly during difficult times. The overall message combined consumption restraint with substitution toward domestic products and alternatives.

Political reactions: Congress, TMC and Shiv Sena (UBT)

The appeal triggered sharp reactions from Opposition parties, including Congress, TMC and Shiv Sena (UBT). Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted that Modi had demanded sacrifices from the public, listing the suggestions on gold, foreign travel, petrol use, fertiliser and cooking oil, metro use, and WFH. The reaction underlined how the fuel-import vulnerability and household consumption changes can become politically sensitive, particularly when global prices are already under pressure.

What businesses were asked to do: freight shift to rail

Modi also urged businesses to shift goods movement to rail, a measure aimed at reducing dependence on road transport fuel and improving efficiency. While the speech focused on immediate conservation, it also implied a preference for logistics choices that can reduce overall oil consumption. Alongside calls for public transport and reduced discretionary travel, the freight suggestion broadened the conservation agenda beyond households.

Key measures and the stated rationale

Market impact: why investors track such messaging

The remarks matter for Indian markets mainly because they highlight the scale of India’s import dependence in crude oil and other commodities, at a time when global supply routes face prolonged disruption. The report links high energy and gold and silver prices with pressure on India’s trade deficit, alongside moderating export growth. For sectors, the messaging keeps attention on refiners facing higher crude costs, and on demand-side levers such as public transport, EV adoption, and rail freight. It also reinforces a policy narrative around import substitution, especially when households are asked to shift spending away from items that draw heavily on foreign exchange.

Conclusion

PM Modi’s Hyderabad speech positioned fuel conservation, WFH, and reduced gold and overseas spending as practical steps to save foreign exchange amid war-linked supply shocks. The immediate backdrop remains the near-75-day Strait of Hormuz blockade and India’s high crude import dependence. Political reactions have been swift, indicating the sensitivity of consumption-linked appeals. The government’s next steps on energy sourcing and broader responses to prolonged global disruption are likely to remain in focus as the supply situation evolves.