New Delhi, March 17: Amid rising concerns over the West Asia situation, the Government on Tuesday reassured citizens that there is no shortage of LPG, petrol or diesel, while warning against panic buying and hoarding that could disrupt supplies for ordinary households. Authorities said over 12,000 raids have been conducted and more than 15,000 LPG cylinders seized, highlighting strict action to protect consumers from black marketing and artificial price hikes.
At an inter-ministerial briefing, the government stressed that ensuring uninterrupted fuel supply—especially for households, hospitals and essential services—remains its top priority. Citizens were urged to rely on official information, avoid panic bookings and use digital platforms for LPG cylinder bookings, which now account for about 94% of all requests.
Officials said all refineries are operating at high capacity and India remains self-sufficient in petrol and diesel, with no reports of fuel shortages at retail outlets. Domestic LPG production has also been increased by around 38% to meet rising demand.
To ease pressure on LPG supplies, commercial consumers such as hotels, restaurants and hospitals in urban areas have been encouraged to switch to piped natural gas (PNG). The government has asked States and Union Territories to fast-track approvals for City Gas Distribution (CGD) pipelines to expand access to PNG connections.
Despite global uncertainties linked to the Strait of Hormuz, LPG supply chains remain stable, with no reported shortages at distributorships. Authorities have also revised booking intervals—25 days in urban areas and up to 45 days in rural regions—to ensure fair distribution among consumers.
States and UTs have been directed to intensify enforcement under the Essential Commodities Act, with district-level monitoring committees and control rooms set up across most regions. Public sector oil companies have conducted over 2,500 surprise inspections to ensure smooth supply and prevent irregularities.
The government also announced additional kerosene allocations and promoted alternative cooking options, including PNG and electric appliances, to reduce dependence on LPG.
On the logistics front, LPG carrier vessels Shivalik and Nanda Devi have arrived at Indian ports, with cargo discharge underway to maintain steady supplies across the country.
Addressing concerns of Indian nationals in the region, the Ministry of External Affairs said missions are operating round-the-clock, assisting citizens and facilitating safe returns. Around 130 Indian pilgrims who had crossed into Armenia are expected to arrive in Delhi today, while over 2.44 lakh passengers have returned from the region since late February.
Reiterating its appeal, the government urged citizens not to panic, conserve energy, and avoid unnecessary visits to LPG distributors, assuring that supplies remain stable and closely monitored.
