Fuel supplies stable, shipping unaffected amid West Asia tensions: Government

New Delhi, March 19. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has said that fuel supplies across India remain stable despite disruptions in West Asia, even as the government stepped up monitoring, enforcement and public outreach to prevent hoarding and ensure smooth distribution.

The update came during an inter-ministerial briefing here on March 19, where officials from multiple ministries, including Petroleum, External Affairs, Ports and Shipping, and Information and Broadcasting, reviewed the evolving situation following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Adequate fuel stocks, no panic buying needed

Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said all refineries are operating at high capacity with sufficient crude inventories, while stocks of petrol and diesel remain adequate across the country. No fuel shortages have been reported at retail outlets.

Sharma urged citizens to avoid panic buying, stressing that supplies are being maintained without disruption.

In the natural gas sector, priority consumers such as households and transport are receiving uninterrupted supply, while industrial and commercial consumption is being moderated. City gas distribution (CGD) companies – including Indraprastha Gas Limited, Mahanagar Gas Limited, GAIL and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited – have been directed to accelerate PNG connections, with incentives and faster timelines to encourage a shift from LPG.

The government has also urged states and union territories to fast-track approvals for CGD projects, including granting permissions within 24 hours and waiving certain charges, while offering additional LPG allocations linked to reforms supporting PNG expansion.

LPG supply steady, enforcement tightened

LPG supplies continue to be closely monitored, with no shortages reported at distributorships. Online bookings have risen sharply, and measures such as Delivery Authentication Codes have been expanded to prevent diversion.

Sharma said panic bookings have declined, while commercial LPG supplies are being maintained nationwide. To ease pressure on LPG demand, urban consumers are being encouraged to switch to PNG, with over 5,600 users already making the transition in recent days.

At the same time, enforcement has intensified, with over 6,000 raids conducted across states to curb hoarding and black marketing, leading to the seizure of more than 11,000 cylinders. State governments have been directed to take strict action under relevant laws, including the Essential Commodities Act.

Public sector oil marketing companies are also carrying out more than 2,000 surprise inspections daily at fuel stations and LPG outlets.

Alternate fuels, policy steps to ease demand

The Centre has taken additional measures to ensure supply stability, including increasing refinery output, revising LPG booking intervals, and promoting alternative fuels such as kerosene and coal for select users.

An additional allocation of 48,000 kilolitres of kerosene has been made available to states, while coal supplies have been stepped up for small and medium consumers.

The government has also designated the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) as the nodal agency for real-time data collection and monitoring of petroleum and natural gas supply chains.

Shipping operations normal, seafarers safe

Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said maritime operations remain unaffected, with no congestion reported at major ports and no incidents involving Indian vessels in the past 24 hours.

Currently, 22 Indian-flagged vessels with over 600 Indian seafarers are operating in the western Persian Gulf, all of whom are reported safe. Ports across the country have ramped up storage capacity and operational readiness to handle any contingencies.

Sinha also confirmed the safe repatriation of over 480 Indian seafarers so far, with round-the-clock monitoring through a dedicated control room.

India steps up outreach in West Asia

Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said the government continues to closely monitor developments in the region, with the safety of Indian nationals as the top priority.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a conversation with Kuwait’s Crown Prince, reiterating India’s support for regional stability and the importance of secure maritime navigation.

Indian missions across West Asia remain on high alert, providing assistance to citizens, including seafarers and stranded travellers. Since late February, around 2.8 lakh passengers have returned to India, while special flight arrangements continue from several countries amid airspace restrictions.

Public advisory and cyber alert

C Senthil Rajan, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, warned of cyber fraud attempts linked to LPG bookings, urging citizens not to download suspicious files or applications circulating on messaging platforms.

The government reiterated its appeal to the public to rely on official sources, avoid panic bookings, conserve fuel and consider alternative energy options such as PNG and electric cooking solutions.

He said coordinated efforts between the Centre and states – including control rooms, district monitoring committees and daily briefings – are underway to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply and transparent communication during the ongoing crisis.