India assures fuel stability, maritime safety amid West Asia crisis; urges public to avoid panic buying

New Delhi, March 25. The Government on March 25 said India’s energy supplies, shipping operations and citizen support mechanisms remain stable despite the ongoing crisis in West Asia and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, even as it stepped up coordination across ministries to manage the evolving situation.

At a joint media briefing held at the National Media Centre, senior officials from the Ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and External Affairs outlined a series of measures aimed at ensuring uninterrupted fuel availability, safeguarding maritime operations, and assisting Indian nationals in the region.

Fuel supplies stable, refineries running at full capacity

Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said that all refineries across the country are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories, ensuring sufficient availability of petrol and diesel. Domestic LPG production has also been ramped up to meet consumption needs.

While retail fuel outlets are functioning normally nationwide, authorities acknowledged instances of panic buying triggered by rumours in some areas. Sharma stressed that there is no shortage of fuel and urged citizens to avoid hoarding.

In the natural gas sector, priority allocation is being maintained for domestic PNG and CNG transport, while supply to industrial consumers continues at about 80 percent of normal levels. The government is also accelerating the expansion of city gas distribution networks and promoting PNG connections through incentives and regulatory support.

A new order under the Essential Commodities Act has been notified to streamline the laying and expansion of pipelines, a move expected to boost last-mile connectivity and strengthen India’s transition to a gas-based economy.

LPG supply under pressure, government boosts allocation

LPG supply remains impacted due to geopolitical disruptions, but Sharma confirmed that no shortages have been reported at distributorships and deliveries continue as usual.

The Centre has increased commercial LPG allocation to 50 percent, prioritising key sectors such as restaurants, hotels, community kitchens and industrial canteens. Additionally, over 22,000 metric tonnes of commercial LPG have been supplied since mid-March.

To ease pressure, the government has also increased kerosene allocation and is encouraging the use of alternative fuels such as PNG, electricity and coal.

States directed to crack down on hoarding

State governments have been asked to strictly enforce anti-hoarding and anti-black marketing measures under existing laws. Over 2,700 raids have been conducted nationwide, resulting in the seizure of around 2,000 LPG cylinders. More than 650 FIRs have been registered and 155 arrests made so far.

Authorities are also running control rooms, monitoring supply chains, and conducting daily briefings to counter misinformation.

Shipping operations normal, Indian seafarers safe

Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said that India’s maritime sector continues to function smoothly, with no congestion reported at major ports.

Around 20 Indian-flagged vessels with nearly 540 Indian seafarers remain in the western Persian Gulf, all of whom are reported safe. A 24×7 control room has been handling queries from seafarers and their families, while over 635 personnel have been repatriated so far.

Ports have created additional capacity to manage cargo, and facilities are being extended to ease trade disruptions, particularly for shipments linked to West Asia.

Massive evacuation effort underway

Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said the safety of Indian nationals abroad remains a top priority. Since February 28, over 4.26 lakh passengers have returned to India from the region through more than 2,100 flights.

Evacuation and transit arrangements are being facilitated through multiple countries due to airspace restrictions in parts of West Asia. Indian missions are operating round the clock, assisting citizens with travel, documentation and emergency support.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also engaged with global leaders, including the US and Sri Lanka, emphasising de-escalation and the importance of keeping critical shipping routes open.

Public advisory issued

The government reiterated that adequate stocks of petrol, diesel and LPG are available and appealed to citizens to avoid panic buying. People have been advised to rely on official information, use digital modes for LPG bookings, and adopt energy conservation practices.

With coordinated action across sectors, officials expressed confidence that India is well-positioned to manage the impact of the West Asia crisis while maintaining domestic stability.