NEW DELHI: India urged citizens to “take the bus” yesterday as it announced an energy savings drive aimed at knocking $5bn off its fuel bill, which has risen sharply in recent months.
The nation imports over 75 percent of its crude oil — which is priced in dollars — and the cost has climbed dramatically because of high global prices and a plunging rupee. “We need to do more to conserve fuel or face tougher choices such as steep price increases or even quantitative restrictions,” Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily warned.
The proposed voluntary measures include switching off engines at traffic lights, avoiding fuel-guzzling practices like frequent braking, carpooling, public transport use and tuning up vehicles to improve fuel efficiency.
“We want people to take the bus,” Moily said, appealing to citizens to “help our nation in reducing oil imports”.
He said he was “trusting in the wisdom of Indians” to adopt more “responsible” motoring habits, even though their reckless driving makes the country’s roads among the world’s most unsafe. “We can at least save $5bn” in fuel costs, Moily said.
He stirred widespread ridicule earlier this month when he said “shutting petrol pumps during the night” was one austerity step being considered to cut imports.
His campaign steered clear of further reducing subsidies on diesel, which accounts for over 40 percent of fuel use.
The Congress-led government, whose popularity has nose-dived in the face of a string of corruption scandals, is wary of hiking fuel prices with polls due by May 2014.
It partially deregulated the petrol market in 2010, leading to significant price rises. “As far as now, there is no proposal to raise prices,” Moily said. Analysts have said India urgently needs to curb fuel consumption — the biggest item in its import bill. AFP
