The government has reassured citizens that there is no shortage of petrol or diesel across the country despite rising tensions in West Asia and concerns about global energy supply disruptions. Officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas stated that fuel availability remains stable at retail outlets nationwide and that supply chains are functioning normally. However, the government acknowledged that the supply of liquefied petroleum gas has become an area of concern due to panic buying by consumers. According to official data, daily LPG bookings have increased significantly from an average of 55.7 lakh cylinders before the Iran conflict to 75.7 lakh cylinders in recent days. Officials said the sharp increase in bookings reflects panic behaviour among consumers rather than an actual shortage of cooking gas. Authorities have urged citizens not to hoard LPG cylinders and to avoid panic booking, emphasising that distributors across the country continue to maintain adequate stock levels.
Government Says Fuel Supply Remains Stable Across the Country
At an inter ministerial briefing on developments related to the West Asia crisis, senior officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas clarified that petrol and diesel supplies are fully secure across India. Joint Secretary Sujata Sharma said that the country’s refining capacity and fuel distribution network ensure uninterrupted availability of petrol and diesel at fuel stations nationwide. India has a refining capacity of approximately 258 million metric tonnes annually, which allows the country to meet domestic demand for petroleum products without depending heavily on imports of refined fuels. According to officials, Indian refineries are currently operating at full capacity or even slightly above normal levels to ensure steady supply. The government has also confirmed that sufficient crude oil inventories are being maintained to manage any short term disruptions in international supply chains. Officials emphasised that there has been no disruption in the availability of piped natural gas for households or compressed natural gas for vehicles. Supplies of PNG and CNG remain stable in all major cities where city gas distribution networks operate. Authorities said the fuel distribution system across the country continues to function normally despite global uncertainty. The government has urged citizens to rely on official information and avoid spreading or believing rumours about fuel shortages.
Panic Buying Pushes LPG Demand to Record Levels
While petrol and diesel availability remains stable, officials acknowledged that LPG demand has surged sharply due to panic booking. According to government data, daily LPG bookings have risen from 55.7 lakh cylinders before the Iran conflict to approximately 75.7 lakh cylinders currently. Officials said the increase does not reflect a real shortage of LPG but rather precautionary buying by consumers worried about possible supply disruptions. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has urged citizens not to engage in panic buying and to book LPG cylinders only when required. Authorities stressed that none of the country’s approximately 25000 LPG distributors has reported a situation where cylinders are completely unavailable. Government officials said that supply chains remain functional and that distributors continue to receive adequate stock from refineries and bottling plants. To strengthen supply availability, domestic production of LPG has also been increased significantly. According to officials, refineries have raised LPG output by about 30 percent since March 5 to ensure uninterrupted supply to households and essential institutions. The government has also prioritised distribution of LPG to critical sectors including hospitals, educational institutions and essential public services. Commercial LPG cylinders have been made available to state governments so they can ensure that supplies reach priority consumers where required. Officials said state authorities have been asked to determine distribution priorities based on local needs. The government has also encouraged commercial establishments to consider alternative fuel options where available. Businesses operating in major urban centres have been advised to switch to piped natural gas connections if their city gas distribution networks provide such services. The transition to PNG can help reduce pressure on LPG supplies while also offering a more reliable fuel option for restaurants and other commercial establishments.
Energy Security Measures and Monitoring of Indian Seafarers
Officials also highlighted India’s broader energy security measures while addressing concerns about the West Asia crisis. India’s large refining capacity allows the country to produce enough petrol and diesel to meet domestic demand without relying on imported refined fuels. Authorities confirmed that refineries are currently operating at full capacity to ensure that fuel supplies remain stable even if global energy markets face volatility. The government has also maintained adequate strategic crude oil reserves to manage potential supply disruptions in the international market. Monitoring of maritime activities in the Gulf region has also been intensified due to the ongoing geopolitical tensions. According to officials from the Shipping Ministry, 24 Indian flagged vessels carrying 677 Indian seafarers are currently operating west of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf region. Across the wider Gulf region approximately 23000 Indian seafarers are working on merchant ships and offshore vessels. The Directorate General of Shipping is maintaining continuous communication with these seafarers through shipping companies and maritime agencies. Authorities said they are closely monitoring the situation in the region to ensure the safety of Indian crew members and vessels. Government officials emphasised that contingency plans are in place to respond to any escalation that could affect maritime operations. The government’s briefing highlighted that India’s energy supply chains remain resilient despite geopolitical tensions. Officials reiterated that citizens should not panic and should continue normal fuel consumption patterns. According to authorities, the current surge in LPG bookings is temporary and is expected to stabilise once consumers regain confidence in the supply system. The government has assured the public that it is taking all necessary steps to maintain energy security and ensure that essential fuels remain available across the country.
