Chief minister Raghubar Das has directed the traffic authorities to curtail road-hogging VIP motorcades, including his and that of his cabinet colleagues - a rare move which if implemented by this weekend can ease bottlenecks during Durga Puja in cities like Ranchi and Jamshedpur.

Das cited public inconvenience while verbally mooting the proposal during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday and is said to have earned the unanimous support of all ministers.

Currently, the CM motorcade comprises nine vehicles - a warning car (travels ahead for 2km to clear road), an advanced pilot, a pilot, a DSP car, the VIP car, a spare vehicle, an ambulance, a jammer and a tail-cutter (to prevent any unauthorised entry).

'The number, however, increases if need be (depending on time and location),' said traffic DSP Radha Premkishore, adding that for ministers, two pilot cars (one each in front and back) were mandatory besides their own vehicle.

Ranchi traffic SP Sanjay Ranjan Singh said they had received the communiqué and would soon reassess the CM's motorcade to see how many vehicles could be dropped without compromising on safety.

'We plan to remove the warning car for starters while we reassess the necessity of the others. For ministers, one pilot can be removed,' he added.

Social welfare minister Louise Marandi praised Das for his noble gesture. 'Personally, I always felt awkward travelling with pilot cars,' she said.

Citizens have evidently welcomed the decision. 'This should have been done long ago, but better late than never,' said Rajan Singh, a retired government servant.

What do you think of the CM's motorcade order? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com