The government on Wednesday outlined a series of measures to ensure energy security, maritime safety and citizen welfare amid the evolving West Asia crisis, assuring that fuel supplies remain stable and Indian nationals in the region are safe.
At an inter-ministerial briefing, officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said that delivery authentication code (DAC)-based LPG deliveries have risen to about 95 per cent, a move aimed at preventing diversion and ensuring targeted distribution.
Authorities reiterated that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel or LPG, urging citizens to avoid panic buying and rely on official information. All refineries are operating at high capacity, with adequate crude inventories and sufficient stocks of fuel maintained across the country.
To support vulnerable sections, public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) have intensified outreach efforts. Since April 3, over 10,400 awareness camps have been organised for 5 kg free trade LPG cylinders, resulting in the sale of more than 1.84 lakh units. Supply of these smaller cylinders for migrant workers has also been doubled.
The government has prioritised domestic LPG, PNG and CNG supply, while increasing commercial LPG allocation to around 70 per cent of pre-crisis levels. Additional measures include extending booking intervals, promoting alternate fuels such as PNG and induction cooking, and boosting coal and kerosene availability to ease pressure on LPG demand.
In a bid to support critical industries, the Centre has also earmarked 1,120 metric tonnes per day of C3 and C4 molecules from the LPG pool for sectors such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and paints. Since early April, significant volumes of petrochemical feedstock have already been supplied to these industries.
On the enforcement front, more than 2,100 raids have been conducted nationwide to curb hoarding and black marketing, while penalties have been imposed on several LPG distributors.
Providing an update on maritime operations, officials confirmed that all Indian seafarers in the Gulf region remain safe, with no incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels reported in the past 48 hours. Over 2,999 seafarers have been repatriated so far, supported by ongoing coordination between ministries and maritime agencies.
The Ministry of External Affairs said it continues to monitor the situation closely, with embassies operating round-the-clock helplines. Notably, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has facilitated the movement of 2,520 Indian nationals out of Iran via land border routes.
Air travel connectivity from the region is gradually stabilising, with flights operating from key countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar, albeit with partial restrictions in some airspaces.
The government emphasised that coordinated efforts with states and Union Territories, along with strengthened monitoring mechanisms, are in place to ensure supply stability, counter misinformation and maintain public confidence during the ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. |
