New Delhi, March 29: The Government of India on Sunday said adequate stocks of petrol and diesel are available across the country and urged citizens not to believe rumours that have triggered panic buying in some areas. The update was issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas amid the evolving situation in West Asia and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
In a detailed statement, the ministry said the government is maintaining continuous oversight of key sectors to ensure stability in energy supplies, maritime operations and the safety of Indian nationals in the region.
Fuel Supply Stable, Refineries Running at High Capacity
According to the ministry, all refineries in the country are operating at high capacity with sufficient crude inventories, while domestic production of LPG has been increased to support consumption. Retail fuel outlets are functioning normally nationwide.
The government has also reduced excise duty on petrol and diesel by ₹10 per litre to ease the burden on consumers. In addition, an export levy has been imposed on diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) to ensure adequate domestic availability.
Authorities acknowledged that rumours in some states led to panic buying and heavy crowds at fuel stations, but reiterated that supplies remain sufficient and stable.
Natural Gas Supply Prioritised for Essential Sectors
The ministry said natural gas supply is being prioritised for domestic PNG consumers and CNG used in transport. Industrial and commercial consumers connected to the gas grid are receiving around 80 percent of their average consumption, while supply to urea plants has stabilised at about 70–75 percent of the last six-month average.
To maintain supplies, additional LNG and regasified LNG cargoes are being sourced. City Gas Distribution companies such as IGL, MGL, GAIL Gas and BPCL have also introduced incentives to expand domestic and commercial PNG connections.
More than 2.9 lakh new gas connections across domestic, commercial and institutional categories were gasified during March, the ministry said.
Officials said domestic LPG delivery remains normal with no reported shortages at distributorships. Online LPG bookings have risen significantly, while delivery authentication measures have been strengthened to prevent diversion.
The government has also increased allocation of commercial LPG in phases to support sectors such as restaurants, hotels, community kitchens and key industries. Additional kerosene allocation has been made to states and union territories to ease pressure on LPG demand.
States have been asked to monitor hoarding and black marketing under provisions of the Essential Commodities Act. Enforcement drives across the country have already led to nearly 2,900 raids and seizure of around 1,000 cylinders in the last 24 hours, officials said.
Maritime Operations Continue Normally
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said Indian vessels and seafarers in the region remain safe, with no incidents involving Indian-flagged ships reported in the past 24 hours.
Two LPG carriers—BW TYR and BW ELM—carrying a combined cargo of about 94,000 metric tonnes have safely transited the region and are heading towards Indian ports. Port operations across India are functioning normally without congestion, authorities added.
Government Assisting Indian Nationals in Region
The Ministry of External Affairs said it is closely monitoring the situation in the Gulf and West Asia, with the safety and welfare of the Indian community remaining the highest priority.
Indian missions in the region are operating round the clock, providing assistance to seafarers, students and other nationals through visa, consular and logistical support. A dedicated control room is also functioning to help Indian citizens and their families.
Since February 28, around 5.24 lakh passengers have returned to India from the region as flights continue to operate in a calibrated manner from several countries, the ministry said.
Public Advisory Issued
The government has urged citizens to avoid panic purchasing of petrol, diesel and LPG and rely only on official information. People have also been encouraged to conserve energy and consider alternative fuels such as PNG or electric cooking options where available.
Officials said the government will continue to monitor developments closely and take necessary measures to ensure energy security and stability in supplies.
