India steps up energy, maritime and consular preparedness amid West Asia crisis
New Delhi, March 29. Amid escalating tensions in West Asia and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the Government of India has intensified nationwide preparedness to safeguard energy supplies, maritime operations and the welfare of Indian nationals in the region.
In a comprehensive status update, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on March 29 said coordinated measures are underway across ministries and states to prevent fuel shortages, counter misinformation, and ensure the uninterrupted functioning of critical supply chains.
Refineries running at high capacity, fuel stocks adequate
All refineries across the country are operating at elevated capacity with sufficient crude inventories. Petrol and diesel stocks remain adequate, while domestic LPG production from refineries has been ramped up to meet rising demand.
Retail fuel outlets are functioning normally nationwide. To ensure domestic availability, the government has reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel by ₹10 per litre and imposed export levies on diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF).
Authorities acknowledged isolated incidents of panic buying triggered by rumours in some states but stressed that fuel availability at petrol pumps remains stable. Citizens have been urged not to fall prey to misinformation.
Natural gas prioritised for households, transport and essential services
Natural gas supplies have been prioritised for domestic PNG (piped natural gas) users and CNG transport, with full allocations maintained. Industrial and commercial consumers connected to the grid are receiving about 80 percent of their average consumption.
City gas distribution (CGD) companies such as Indraprastha Gas Limited, Mahanagar Gas Limited, GAIL Gas Limited and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited have been asked to prioritise PNG connections for restaurants, hotels, canteens, hostels, schools and community kitchens to ease pressure on commercial LPG demand.
To accelerate the gas network, the government has invoked provisions under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to notify a new pipeline expansion order aimed at fast-tracking approvals and land access for natural gas infrastructure. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board has directed CGD entities to connect institutions such as schools and hostels to PNG within five days where pipeline infrastructure exists nearby.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has also introduced an accelerated approval framework for CGD infrastructure for three months, while the Ministry of Defence has temporarily eased norms to facilitate PNG installations in defence residential areas.
LPG supplies stable, commercial allocation gradually restored
While LPG supplies have been affected by the geopolitical situation, there have been no “dry-outs” at distributorships. Online bookings have surged, and delivery authentication measures have been strengthened to prevent diversion. Over 55 lakh domestic LPG refills were delivered in a single day.
Commercial LPG allocation, which had been curtailed earlier, has now been progressively restored to 70 percent of pre-crisis levels, with priority given to eateries, community kitchens, food processing units and process industries such as steel, textiles and chemicals that cannot easily switch to natural gas.
Additional kerosene and coal to ease pressure
An additional 48,000 KL of kerosene has been allocated to states over regular quotas. The Ministry of Coal has directed Coal India Limited and Singareni Collieries Company Limited to enhance coal supplies to states for small and medium consumers as an alternative fuel.
States asked to crack down on hoarding, issue daily briefings
State governments have been asked to use powers under the LPG Control Order, 2000, to act against hoarding and black marketing. Nearly 2,900 raids were conducted recently, with around 1,000 LPG cylinders seized in a single day. Oil marketing companies have inspected more than 1,200 retail outlets and distributorships and issued hundreds of show-cause notices.
Chief secretaries have been urged to conduct daily press briefings, set up control rooms, counter fake news and fast-track CGD permissions. Fourteen states and union territories are already issuing daily updates.
Maritime operations monitored, LPG carriers en route
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways confirmed that Indian seafarers and vessels in the region remain safe. Two LPG carriers – BW TYR and BW ELM – carrying about 94,000 metric tonnes of LPG have safely transited the region and are headed to Mumbai and New Mangalore respectively.
Eighteen Indian-flagged vessels with 485 Indian seafarers remain in the western Persian Gulf. The Directorate General of Shipping is operating a 24×7 control room and has facilitated the repatriation of over 942 seafarers so far.
Indian missions assisting nationals, flights operating via alternate routes
The Ministry of External Affairs is maintaining close coordination with Indian missions across the region. Around 5.24 lakh passengers have returned to India since February 28 through regular and special flights, often routed through third countries due to airspace closures.
Travel from countries such as Kuwait, Bahrain, Iran, Israel and Iraq is being facilitated through alternate corridors including Saudi Arabia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Egypt and Jordan. Missions are providing round-the-clock assistance to students, seafarers and stranded nationals.
Public advisory: Avoid panic, conserve energy
The government has appealed to citizens to avoid panic purchases of fuel and LPG, rely on official information sources, use digital booking modes, and adopt alternate fuels such as PNG and electric cooktops where possible. People have also been urged to conserve energy in daily use.
Officials emphasised that despite the ongoing crisis, top priority continues to be given to domestic LPG, PNG supply, hospitals, educational institutions and essential services, with coordinated efforts underway to maintain stability across the energy and logistics ecosystem.
