The government on Monday said it has intensified enforcement and supply-side measures to ensure uninterrupted availability of LPG, even as geopolitical tensions in West Asia continue to raise concerns.
Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said inspection teams have carried out nearly 12000 raids across the country, seizing around 15,000 LPG cylinders to curb hoarding and black marketing. She urged consumers to avoid panic booking and instead opt for online modes for refills.
Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing in the national capital, Sharma highlighted that India’s position as the world’s fourth-largest refiner provides a cushion in terms of petrol and diesel availability. She added that domestic LPG production has risen by 28 per cent due to multiple government interventions aimed at strengthening supply for household consumers.
However, she noted that nearly 60 per cent of India’s LPG requirement is met through imports, a significant portion of which passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Despite this dependency, the government is working to ensure uninterrupted supply for domestic users.
Sharma said nearly one lakh retail outlets are operational across the country, most of them run by public sector oil marketing companies. Around 50 lakh LPG cylinders are being delivered daily, and no shortages have been reported at distribution points so far.
She further said the government is working on multiple fronts, including ramping up domestic LPG output and activating alternative fuel options to ease pressure on supply channels. As part of contingency measures, the Centre has been allocating kerosene to states on a quarterly basis. An additional 48,000 kilolitres has now been released, over and above the usual allocation of around one lakh kilolitre per quarter.
On the external front, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Indian missions in Gulf Cooperation Council countries are in constant touch with nationals and assisting them with commercial travel arrangements. He added that of the 9,000 Indians currently in Iran, those wishing to leave are being supported by the Indian Embassy in Tehran.
Meanwhile, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said recent maritime incidents in the Persian Gulf have involved Indian crew members aboard foreign-flagged vessels. Of the 78 Indian seafarers onboard, 70 are safe, while three fatalities have been reported and one person remains missing.
He said the government is closely tracking developments in the region and has stepped up monitoring and preparedness to safeguard Indian seafarers and maritime interests.
Separately, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has asked states and Union Territories to act strictly against hoarding of essential commodities and ensure smooth availability of supplies. Joint Secretary Senthil Rajan also cautioned against the spread of misinformation on social media and reiterated that there is no need for panic booking of LPG cylinders, as adequate measures are in place to maintain steady supply.
