New Delhi, March 21: The Government of India on Saturday said it has intensified preparedness across key sectors—including energy supply, maritime operations and protection of citizens abroad—in response to the evolving situation in West Asia and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Officials said adequate stocks of fuel and LPG are being maintained while steps are underway to stabilise supplies and prevent disruptions.
Fuel supply stable; refineries running at high capacity
According to the government update, all refineries in the country are operating at high capacity with sufficient crude inventories. Authorities also said there are adequate stocks of petrol and diesel across the country, and domestic LPG production from refineries has been increased.
Oil marketing companies reported no cases of fuel shortages at retail outlets. The government urged the public not to engage in panic buying, assuring that supplies of petrol and diesel are being maintained regularly.
Push for PNG connections as LPG demand remains a concern
With commercial LPG supply under pressure due to geopolitical developments, the government has advised City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities to prioritise piped natural gas (PNG) connections for commercial establishments such as restaurants, hotels and canteens. Ministries and state governments have also been asked to fast-track approvals related to CGD infrastructure expansion and promote PNG adoption in government establishments.
Major CGD companies—including Indraprastha Gas Limited, Mahanagar Gas Limited, GAIL Gas and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited—have offered incentives to households and commercial consumers opting for PNG connections. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board has also directed CGD entities to shorten the time between application submission and gas supply to households.
The Centre has written to states and union territories to expedite approvals required for expanding CGD networks and to facilitate new PNG connections for domestic and commercial consumers. Ministries have been asked to assess PNG demand in their establishments and designate nodal officers to coordinate the process.
Commercial LPG users in major cities and urban areas have been advised to shift to PNG where available.
Commercial LPG allocation increased to 50%
The government has expanded the supply of commercial LPG to states in phases. After restoring partial supply earlier, an additional 20% allocation has now been approved, taking the overall allocation to 50% (including the 10% linked to PNG expansion reforms).
This additional allocation will be prioritised for restaurants, dhabas, hotels, industrial canteens, food processing units, dairy facilities, subsidised canteens run by local bodies, community kitchens and 5-kg free-trade LPG cylinders for migrant workers.
Twenty states and union territories have issued orders to allocate non-domestic LPG as per central guidelines, while public sector oil companies are supplying cylinders in the remaining regions. Around 13,479 metric tonnes of commercial LPG have been lifted by entities across states in the past week.
Educational institutions and hospitals are being given priority, with nearly half of the commercial LPG allocation going to these sectors.
The government said domestic LPG supply remains normal, with no reported shortages at distributorships. Most deliveries are being made through Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) systems, and panic bookings have declined.
Authorities have also extended the booking interval for LPG cylinders—from 21 to 25 days in urban areas and up to 45 days in rural areas—to rationalise demand and maintain supplies.
Additional kerosene allocation to states
To ease pressure on LPG demand, an additional 48,000 kilolitres of kerosene has been allocated to states and union territories over and above regular supplies. States have been asked to identify district-level distribution locations.
Fifteen states and union territories have issued allocation orders for kerosene supply, while two—Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh—reported no requirement. Seventeen states and union territories are yet to issue orders.
Crackdown on hoarding and black marketing
State governments have been directed to maintain strict vigilance against hoarding, diversion of domestic LPG and black marketing under provisions of the Essential Commodities Act and related laws.
More than 3,500 raids have been conducted across states such as Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra, leading to the seizure of about 1,400 LPG cylinders. Public sector oil companies have also carried out surprise inspections at over 2,000 retail outlets and LPG distributorships to ensure smooth supply.
Across the country, 32 states and union territories have set up control rooms and district-level monitoring committees, while authorities are urging the remaining regions to establish them urgently. Many states have also begun daily press briefings on the supply situation.
Alternate fuels and coal supply measures
The government has allowed the use of alternate fuels such as kerosene and coal to reduce LPG demand. The Ministry of Environment has advised state pollution control boards to permit such usage where necessary.
The Ministry of Coal has directed Coal India Limited and Singareni Collieries Company Limited to supply higher coal quantities to states for distribution to small and medium consumers.
Public advisory issued
The government urged citizens to rely only on official information, avoid rumours and refrain from panic bookings. Consumers were advised to use digital booking platforms and wait for home delivery instead of crowding at LPG distributorships.
Authorities also encouraged households and businesses to adopt energy conservation measures and consider alternative options such as PNG and electric or induction cooktops.
Maritime sector functioning smoothly
Despite regional tensions, the maritime sector continues to operate normally with no congestion reported across Indian ports. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said it is closely monitoring vessel movement, port operations and the safety of Indian seafarers.
At present, 22 Indian-flagged vessels with 611 Indian seafarers remain in the western Persian Gulf region, with the Directorate General of Shipping coordinating with ship owners and Indian missions. The DG Shipping control room is functioning round the clock and has handled 3,670 calls and 6,929 emails since activation.
More than 534 Indian seafarers have been repatriated so far, including 21 in the last 24 hours.
In one incident, an Indian seafarer serving as the master of the Panama-flagged vessel ASP Avana died on March 18. Authorities are coordinating with the Indian mission in the United Arab Emirates to assist the family.
Government prioritises safety of Indian nationals abroad
The Ministry of External Affairs said the safety and welfare of the Indian community in the Gulf and West Asia remains the top priority. Indian missions across the region are operating helplines, issuing advisories and coordinating assistance for seafarers, students, stranded nationals and short-term visitors.
Since February 28, around 3.3 lakh passengers have returned to India from the region. Flights continue from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman, while Qatar is operating several non-scheduled flights following partial reopening of its airspace. With airspace closures in Kuwait and Bahrain, alternative travel arrangements are being facilitated via Saudi Arabia.
In diplomatic outreach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, exchanging Eid greetings and discussing the regional situation, including the need to keep shipping lanes open and ensure stability.
Crew members return safely from Iraq
Meanwhile, 15 Indian crew members of the vessel MT Safesea Vishnu have safely returned to India from Iraq.
Authorities also confirmed that six Indian nationals have lost their lives in separate incidents in the region and one person remains missing, with missions coordinating with local authorities for search operations and repatriation of mortal remains.
