Centre Activates Multi-Ministry Response to Safeguard Fuel, Shipping and Indians Abroad

Ziraat Times News Desk

New Delhi, March 23: The Government of India on Monday said fuel supplies across the country remain stable despite disruptions in maritime routes following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, while urging citizens to avoid panic buying and rely on official updates.

At a joint media briefing at the National Media Centre, senior officials from the Ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and External Affairs said multiple steps have been taken to ensure uninterrupted availability of petroleum products, LPG and natural gas, and to safeguard Indian nationals in the West Asia region.

Fuel Supplies Stable, Refineries Operating at High Capacity

Officials said all refineries are operating at high capacity and have adequate crude inventories, with sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel being maintained across the country. Oil marketing companies reported no fuel dry-outs at retail outlets, and supplies are continuing as usual.

Domestic LPG production from refineries has also been increased compared to pre-crisis levels to maintain availability amid the evolving geopolitical situation.

Natural Gas Supplies Prioritised

The government said priority sectors continue to receive protected natural gas supplies, including 100% supply to domestic piped natural gas (PNG) users and compressed natural gas (CNG) transport. Supplies to industrial and commercial consumers are currently being regulated at around 80%.

City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies have been advised to prioritise PNG connections for commercial establishments. Companies such as Indraprastha Gas Limited, Mahanagar Gas Limited, GAIL Gas Limited and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited are offering incentives to encourage the shift.

More than 3.5 lakh domestic and commercial PNG connections have been issued or activated during the first three weeks of March 2026, officials said.

The Centre has also asked states and Union Territories to fast-track approvals for CGD network expansion and assess demand for PNG connections across government establishments. The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation has directed its offices to clear CGD applications within 10 days.

LPG Supply Normal, Panic Bookings Fall

Officials said LPG supplies remain stable and domestic cylinder deliveries are continuing normally, with panic bookings declining significantly in recent days.

The government has restored partial commercial LPG supply and expanded allocations to states. Overall allocation for commercial LPG has now been raised to about 50%, with priority sectors including restaurants, dhabas, hotels, industrial canteens, food processing units and community kitchens.

Around 15,842 metric tonnes of commercial LPG has been lifted by businesses across states and Union Territories since March 14.

Additional Fuel Support and Alternative Options

To ease pressure on LPG demand, the government has also allocated 48,000 kilolitres of additional kerosene to states and Union Territories and advised them to identify distribution points.

Officials said alternate fuels such as kerosene and coal are being made available, with higher coal supplies arranged through public sector companies to support small and medium consumers.

States Asked to Intensify Monitoring

State governments and Union Territories have been asked to maintain strict vigilance against hoarding and black marketing under the Essential Commodities Act and other relevant laws.

District Collectors and Food and Civil Supplies officials have been directed to conduct regular enforcement actions. So far, 32 states and UTs have set up control rooms, while 33 have established district-level monitoring committees.

In the past 24 hours alone, authorities conducted about 2,400 raids and seized more than 800 LPG cylinders. Over the weekend, public sector oil marketing companies also carried out more than 2,600 surprise inspections at retail outlets and LPG distributorships. Around 550 FIRs have been registered and about 150 people arrested in enforcement drives.

Maritime Operations Continue Without Disruption

Officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said India’s maritime sector continues to operate smoothly, with no congestion reported at ports.

Currently, 22 Indian-flagged vessels and around 600 Indian seafarers are in the western Persian Gulf region. No incidents involving Indian vessels have been reported in the past 24 hours.

The Directorate General of Shipping has facilitated the safe repatriation of more than 547 Indian seafarers so far and continues to monitor the situation through a 24×7 control room. Since activation, the control room has handled over 3,700 calls and more than 7,000 emails.

Additional cargo handling and storage capacity has also been created at several major ports, including Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, V. O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, Visakhapatnam Port Authority, Deendayal Port Authority and New Mangalore Port Authority to manage cargo flow.

PM Engages Global Leaders on West Asia Situation

The government also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been in touch with world leaders regarding the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Over the weekend, he spoke with Masoud Pezeshkian, conveying Eid and Nowruz greetings and expressing hope for peace and stability in the region. The Prime Minister also condemned attacks on critical infrastructure and reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and keeping global shipping lanes open and secure.

Assistance to Indian Nationals Continues

The Ministry of External Affairs said the safety of Indian nationals in the region remains a priority. A dedicated control room is operational and Indian missions across West Asia are working round the clock to assist citizens.

Since February 28, about 3.75 lakh passengers have returned from the region to India as flight operations gradually improve. Indian nationals in conflict-affected areas are being assisted through alternate travel routes, including transit via Saudi Arabia and evacuation through neighbouring countries such as Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Officials said Indian students in cities such as Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz have been relocated to safer locations, while those in Israel are being assisted with travel arrangements to return to India via Jordan.