West Asia tensions: Amid West Asia tensions, the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas on Sunday has announced a series of proactive measures to safeguard domestic fuel availability, ensure maritime safety, and support Indian nationals in the region.
In a detailed update issued on March 15, 2026, the Press Information Bureau has highlighted no reported shortages of petrol, diesel, or LPG at retail outlets and distributorships while emphasising steps like amending the LPG Control Order to mandate the surrender of domestic LPG connections by households with piped natural gas (PNG) supply. The government is also conducting raids against hoarding, promoting digital bookings, and encouraging a shift to PNG where available to optimise resources and prevent panic buying.
Energy supply and fuel availability
The government said that steps have been taken to ensure stable availability of petroleum products and LPG across the country. Necessary arrangements are in place to maintain regular supply and distribution. The current position is as follows:
Crude/Refineries
- All refineries are operating at high capacity and maintaining adequate crude oil inventories. Our country remains self-sufficient in the production of petrol and diesel, and no imports of petrol and diesel are required to meet domestic demand.
Retail outlets
- No cases of fuel dry-outs have been reported at retail outlets by oil marketing companies, and supplies of petrol and diesel continue to be maintained regularly.
- Citizens are advised not to resort to panic buying, as adequate stocks of petrol and diesel are available across the country.
Natural gas
- Priority sectors continue to receive protected gas supplies, including 100 per cent supply to PNG and CNG, while supplies to industrial and commercial consumers are being regulated at about 80 per cent.
- Commercial LPG consumers in major cities and urban areas are encouraged to opt for PNG connections and may apply through email, letter or the customer portal of City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies.
- A meeting was held on 14 March 2026 by senior officials of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas with PNGRB and CGD entities to review the status of PNG connections and LPG-to-PNG conversion.
LPG
- LPG supply continues to be monitored in view of the prevailing geopolitical situation.
- No reported dry-outs at LPG distributorships.
- LPG bookings have shown a decline, with about 77 lakh bookings recorded yesterday compared to 88.8 lakh bookings on 13 March 2026.
- Online LPG cylinder bookings have increased from 84 per cent to about 87 per cent.
- Several States and UTs, including Bihar, Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan, have issued orders for allocation of non-domestic LPG in line with government guidelines.
- Commercial LPG cylinders have been placed at the disposal of state governments for priority distribution and are now available to consumers in 30 states and UTs.
Meetings conducted by state governments
- State governments and UTs continue to play an important role in monitoring the supply of essential commodities, including petrol, diesel and LPG.
- High-level meetings have been conducted in several states and UTs to review LPG supply, ensure continuity of distribution and prevent black marketing and panic booking.
- 22 States and UTs have established control rooms to monitor the situation, and several States are also conducting media briefings to keep citizens informed.
Enforcement action
- State governments are undertaking enforcement measures to prevent hoarding and black marketing of petrol, diesel and LPG.
- Raids are being carried out in several states, including Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, to check hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders.
- Officials of PSU oil marketing companies are also conducting surprise inspections at LPG distributorships to ensure smooth supply and prevent irregularities.
Other government measures
- The government continues to prioritise the interests of domestic consumers and ensure an uninterrupted LPG supply, particularly for households and priority sectors such as hospitals and educational institutions.
- Domestic LPG production from refineries has been maximised, and several supply and demand-side measures have been implemented.
- An amendment to the LPG Control Order issued on 14 March 2026 requires consumers with PNG connections to surrender their domestic LPG connections and prohibits new LPG connections for PNG consumers.
- Booking intervals have been rationalised to 25 days in urban areas and up to 45 days in rural areas to ensure equitable distribution.
- An additional allocation of 48,000 KL of kerosene has been provided to states and UTs to support alternate fuel needs.
- Alternate fuels such as kerosene and coal have been activated for certain sectors, including hospitality and restaurants, to ease pressure on LPG supplies.
- PSU oil marketing companies are promoting digital bookings, discouraging panic bookings and keeping LPG distributorships open on Sundays to facilitate smooth supply.
