In a striking symbolic gesture, three sitting judges of the Orissa High Court on Monday swapped their official vehicles for bicycles, riding to the court premises in Cuttack to champion the cause of fuel conservation.
Justices Savitri Ratho, V Narasingh, and Sibo Sankar Mishra participated in the initiative, cycling a distance of a little less than one kilometer from near the Judicial Academy to the High Court premises. The rare sight drew widespread attention from lawyers, court staff, and local residents along the route.
While the judges did not issue any formal statement, their public ride has been widely interpreted as a silent, powerful appeal to the public for restraint, responsible fuel usage, and environmentally conscious mobility.
Symbolic Ride Amid Panic Buying and Supply Anxiety
The judges’ initiative comes at a critical juncture for the state of Odisha, which has recently gripped by anxiety over the availability of petrol and diesel.
In recent days, panic buying has triggered long queues at fuel outlets across the state. Although government authorities and oil marketing companies have repeatedly maintained that fuel supplies remain entirely adequate, apprehension among the public has persisted. Official agencies have actively urged citizens to avoid hoarding fuel and to refrain from causing unnecessary rushes at petrol pumps.
By taking to bicycles, the members of the High Court bench delivered a highly visible message on the importance of reducing consumption during periods of public anxiety.
Aligning with a Broader Governmental Push
The judicial gesture also coincided with a wider, official push from the executive branch to adopt fuel-saving practices.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi recently reduced his official convoy by nearly half. This decision followed an appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for responsible fuel consumption, driven by global concerns over crude prices linked to escalating tensions in West Asia.
In tandem with these measures, the state’s Housing and Urban Development Department has also advised its employees to:
- Adopt vehicle pooling and ride-sharing practices.
- Avoid using government vehicles for short personal trips during office hours.
Through their silent demonstration, the three high court judges have reinforced these administrative directives, highlighting that the responsibility for conservation spans across all pillars of the state.
