Anupam Kher takes Vande Bharat from Jaipur to Delhi, backs Modi's fuel-saving drive
Synopsis
Anupam Kher swapped a car for the Vande Bharat to make a point — that saving fuel starts with personal choices. By boarding a train from Jaipur to Delhi and posting about it, the veteran actor put a celebrity face on PM Modi's conservation drive, arguing that small daily habits, from carpooling to choosing public transport, add up to national impact.
Key Takeaways
Anupam Kher travelled from Jaipur to New Delhi by Vande Bharat Express on 18 May in solidarity with PM Modi's fuel-saving appeal.
Kher shared a video on social media urging citizens to use public transport and practise carpooling for short distances.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appealed to Indians to reduce petrol and diesel consumption wherever possible.
Kher called the gesture 'not a big sacrifice' but argued that collective small efforts can have a big impact .
The actor framed fuel conservation as an act of responsible citizenship , not just a government directive.
Veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher has thrown his weight behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to citizens to conserve fuel and embrace sustainable commuting. Kher revealed on 18 May that he travelled from Jaipur to New Delhi aboard the Vande Bharat Express, calling it his 'small contribution' to the Prime Minister's national mission.
Kher's Message and the Social Media Post
Sharing a video on social media, Kher wrote in his caption: 'Pradhanmantri Shri Narendra Modi ji ki desh ke liye muhim mein mera ek chhota sa prayas! Jai Hind!' — translating to: 'As a small contribution to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mission for the country — Jai Hind!'
In the video, Kher addressed his followers in Hindi, invoking Modi's appeal directly: 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to the people of the country that we should all try to save petrol and diesel. Where possible, we should use public transport.'
The Case for Carpooling and Small Changes
Kher specifically highlighted carpooling as a practical step, urging citizens to avoid taking out individual vehicles for short distances. 'If two people can travel in one car, then why take out two separate cars?' he said, adding that 'service to the country is not limited to the border.'
He framed the gesture as modest but meaningful: 'It is not a big sacrifice. But if we all start making small efforts, it can have a big impact.' The actor argued that responsible citizenship today demands behavioural change, not just rhetoric.
Broader Context: Modi's Fuel Conservation Appeal
Prime Minister Modi had recently called on Indians to reduce dependence on petrol and diesel by shifting to public transport and adopting fuel-efficient habits wherever feasible. The appeal aligns with India's broader push to cut its import bill and lower urban carbon emissions — goals that have gained urgency as global crude prices remain volatile.
Kher's decision to board the Vande Bharat — one of India's flagship semi-high-speed rail services — lends a visible, celebrity-backed dimension to the campaign. Notably, this is not the first time public figures have amplified government-led sustainability messaging through personal example.
What Kher Said About Citizenship
'In today's world, being a responsible citizen does not just mean talking. In fact, it is important to make small changes in our habits,' Kher said. He added that the spirit of national service can be found 'in the small festivals of our daily lives' — and that citizens should 'contribute as much as we can.'
Whether the celebrity endorsement translates into measurable behaviour change among the public remains to be seen, but Kher's post has amplified the Prime Minister's conservation message to a wider audience.
Point of View
But Kher's post stands out for its specificity — a named train, a named route, a direct quote of the Prime Minister's appeal. The harder question is whether one-off gestures by public figures move the needle on entrenched commuting habits, or whether they function primarily as social media optics. India's urban transport challenge is structural: inadequate last-mile connectivity keeps millions car-dependent regardless of intent. Modi's fuel conservation appeal, however sincere, will need policy muscle — better public transit, congestion pricing, EV incentives — to produce results that a Vande Bharat video cannot.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Anupam Kher travel by train from Jaipur to Delhi?
Anupam Kher took the Vande Bharat Express from Jaipur to New Delhi on 18 May as a personal gesture of support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to citizens to conserve fuel and use public transport. He described it as his 'small contribution' to the national mission.
What is PM Modi's fuel-saving appeal about?
Prime Minister Modi has called on Indians to reduce consumption of petrol and diesel by shifting to public transport and carpooling wherever feasible. The appeal is part of a broader effort to cut India's fuel import dependence and lower urban carbon emissions.
What did Anupam Kher say about carpooling?
Kher urged people to avoid taking out separate cars for short trips, asking: 'If two people can travel in one car, then why take out two separate cars?' He positioned carpooling as one of the simplest daily changes citizens can make.
Where did Anupam Kher share his message?
Kher shared a video on social media with a caption in Hindi and an English translation, tagging Prime Minister Modi and signing off with 'Jai Hind.' The post has drawn attention to the government's fuel conservation campaign.
What train did Anupam Kher take?
Kher travelled aboard the Vande Bharat Express, one of India's flagship semi-high-speed rail services, on the Jaipur–New Delhi route.
