Fuel conservation

One wonders whether the decision to close retail fuel outlets in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for 24 hours on Sundays will reduce fuel consumption to any mentionable extent (“Fuel outlets to remain shut on Sundays from May 14”, April 19). Instead of buying fuel on Sunday, people would do it on Saturday, just as tipplers keep adequate stocks of their favourite brands on October 1 when TASMAC outlets are closed on Gandhi Jayanti. If the Prime Minister is really interested in promoting fuel conservation, he should take steps to reduce the number of vehicles in VIP cavalcades and also promote public transport systems. The savings would be substantial.

P.G. Menon,

Chennai