Bhubaneswar: In a move seen as aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for fuel conservation amid the West Asia crisis, the Supreme Court has reworked its hearing schedule to cut down on travel-related fuel consumption.

Acting on the backdrop of rising global crude prices, the top court on Friday announced that it will conduct hearings exclusively through video conferencing on Mondays and Fridays. From Tuesday to Thursday, a hybrid system will be in place, allowing lawyers and litigants the option to appear either physically or virtually.

The decision comes soon after the Prime Minister urged citizens and institutions to reduce fuel usage, warning of the economic fallout triggered by tensions in West Asia. He had also pitched for a renewed push towards work-from-home models in suitable sectors to limit commuting.

Significantly, the Supreme Court said judges have “unanimously resolved” to encourage carpooling among themselves to optimise fuel use — a rare administrative step underscoring the gravity of the situation.

The court registry will also partially shift to remote functioning. Up to 50 per cent of staff in each branch will be allowed to work from home for two days a week, based on weekly rosters. However, officials have been given the flexibility to scale back remote work if the nature of duties requires physical presence to ensure uninterrupted court operations.

The recalibrated functioning of the country’s highest court marks one of the most high-profile institutional responses to the Prime Minister’s appeal, signalling how concerns over fuel costs are beginning to shape administrative decisions across sectors.

 What PM Modi Appealed

May 10: Speaking in Secunderabad, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to voluntarily reduce petrol and diesel consumption owing to rising global prices and the need to conserve foreign exchange amidst the West Asia conflict. PM emphasized using fuel with "great restraint" as a national duty.

• Opt for Alternatives: He appealed people to use public transport, metro services, carpooling, and electric vehicles (EVs) instead of personal vehicles.
• Revive COVID-Era Habits: The PM called for re-adopting work-from-home (WFH) measures, virtual meetings, and online conferences to cut down on commuting.
• Reduce Consumption: He urged people to use imported fuel (petrol/diesel) only when necessary to insulate the Indian economy from the impact of international conflicts.

• Avoid Gold Purchases: He asked people to avoid buying non-essential gold for marriages for a year.
• Cut Foreign Travel: Advised reducing unnecessary overseas travel and destination weddings to save foreign exchange.