New Delhi, Mar 23: The Centre on Monday said fuel and gas supplies remain stable despite the West Asia crisis, with priority sectors receiving protected natural gas and over 3.5 lakh PNG connections issued this month, even as panic LPG bookings declined.
Addressing the media at the National Media Centre, as part of the ongoing inter-ministerial briefings on developments in West Asia, senior officials from the Ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Ministry of External Affairs reaffirmed robust refinery operations, steady maritime activity, and ongoing efforts to support Indian nationals in the region.
The inter-ministerial briefings are being held regularly to provide timely updates on the evolving situation.
During today’s interaction, comprehensive inputs were shared on the status of fuel supply, maritime operations, and efforts being undertaken to support Indian nationals in the region, along with the measures in place to ensure continued stability across these sectors.
An update on the fuel supply situation, along with measures being undertaken to maintain uninterrupted availability of petroleum products and LPG in light of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, was provided during the briefing by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
The ministry said all refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories, and sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel are being maintained.
It said that domestic LPG production from refineries had been increased compared to pre-crisis levels.
The ministry said that no cases of fuel dry-outs had been reported at retail outlets by oil marketing companies, and supplies of petrol and diesel continued to be maintained regularly.
It said that citizens were being advised not to resort to panic buying as adequate stocks are available.
The ministry said that priority sectors continue to receive protected supplies, including 100 percent supply to domestic PNG and CNG transport, while supplies to industrial and commercial consumers were being regulated at around 80 percent.
It said that City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities had been advised to prioritise PNG connections for commercial establishments, with incentives offered by companies like IGL, MGL, GAIL Gas and BPCL.
The ministry said that the Government of India vide letter dated March 16, 2026, had requested government of states and union territories to expedite approval of applications required for expansion of CGD network.
It said that the Government of India vide letter dated March 18, 2026, had offered all states and UTs additional 10 percent allocation of commercial LPG to states provided they could help in long term transition from LPG to PNG.
The ministry said it had received application from Government of Rajasthan vide letter March 19, 2026, and Government of MP vide letter dated March 20, 2026, had stated that the state government had taken significant steps with respect to reforms for promoting CGD and transition to PNG and their proposals are under examination.
It said that the Government of India had requested all concerned central government ministries for fast tracking and disposal of all pending and new permissions related to CGD infrastructure.
The ministry said that the Government of India vide letter dated March 20, 2026, had requested all central government ministries to undertake a comprehensive assessment of potential demand for PNG connections in establishments under various ministries and departments of the Government of India and to designate a nodal officer from each ministry and department to coordinate this exercise.
It said that in response to Government of India letter, Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO) had advised all its offices to dispose off CGD applications on priority within 10 days of receipt.
The ministry said that commercial LPG consumers in the major cities and urban area had been requested to switch to PNG.
It said that more than 3.5 lakh domestic and commercial PNG connections had been issued and activated during first 3 weeks of March 2026 by CGD entities.
The ministry said that the LPG supply continues to be monitored in view of the prevailing geopolitical situation.
It said that no dry-outs had been reported at distributorships.
The ministry said that panic bookings had reduced significantly, and domestic LPG cylinder deliveries continue as normal.
It said that the Government of India had already restored partial commercial LPG supply of 20 percent to consumers.
The ministry said that Government of India vide letter dated March 18, 2026, had proposed to allocate additional 10 percent of commercial LPG to states and UTs based on ease of doing business reforms for PNG expansion.
It said that the Government of India vide letter dated March 21, 2026, had allowed another 20 percent allocation of commercial LPG to states, which would take overall allocation to 50 percent including 10 percent allocation based on ease of doing reforms for PNG expansion.
The ministry said that this additional 20 percent allocation should be given on priority to sectors like restaurants, dhabas, hotels, industrial canteens, food processing and dairy, subsidised canteens and outlets run by state government or local bodies for food, community kitchens, and 5 kg FTL for migrant labourers.
It said that 20 States and UTs had issued orders to allocate the non-domestic LPG in line with the guidelines issued by the Government of India.
The ministry said that for rest of the states and UTs, PSU oil marketing companies were releasing commercial LPG cylinders.
It said that a total of around 15,842 metric tonnes had been uplifted during since March 14, 2026, by commercial entities in the states and UTs.
The ministry said that an additional allocation of 48,000 kilo litres of kerosene had been provided to states and UTs, which had been requested to identify distribution points.
It said that 15 states and UTs had issued SKO allocation orders, while Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh had indicated no requirement.
The ministry said as of date, 17 states and UTs were yet to issue SKO allocation orders.
It said that state governments and UTs were responsible for monitoring supply under the Essential Commodities Act and LPG Control Order and had been advised to maintain vigilance against hoarding and black marketing.
The ministry said that the Government of India vide letter dated March 13, 2026, and March 18, 2026, had requested all states and UTs to maintain strict vigilance for curbing hoarding, black marketing, diversion of domestic LPG, and other malpractices.
It said that they had been asked to take stringent action against violators under the provisions of Essential Commodities Act, 1955, Petroleum Act, 1934, Petroleum Rules 2002, Motor Spirit and HSD order 2005 and other applicable laws to evolve appropriate distribution methodologies for commercial LPG, keeping in view local priorities and requirements and to issue public advisories to prevent panic buying, encourage judicious use of LPG, and dissemination of accurate information.
The ministry said that all District Collectors and Food and Civil Supplies (FC&S) officials were requested to conduct regular enforcement actions on daily basis.
It said that 32 states and UTs had setup control rooms and many of the States and UTs were doing daily press briefs also.
The ministry said that 33 states and UTs had setup District Level Monitoring Committees.
The ministry said that all those states and UTs that had not setup control rooms and district monitoring committees had been requested to do so on urgent basis.
It said that enforcement actions continue across states to curb hoarding and black marketing, with about 2400 raids conducted and over 800 cylinders seized in the past 24 hours.
The ministry said that major actions had been reported in Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi, including seizures, FIRs and arrests.
It said that PSU oil marketing companies had conducted over 2600 surprise inspections at retail outlets and LPG distributorships, across the country over the weekend.
The ministry said that so far, around 550 FIRs hadn’t been registered and about 150 people arrested.
It said that the government continues to prioritise uninterrupted LPG supply and PNG expansion, particularly for households and priority sectors like hospitals and educational institutions.
The ministry said that the measures include enhanced refinery production, revised booking intervals from 21 to 25 days in urban areas, and up to 45 days in rural areas and prioritised allocation.
It said that alternate fuel options like kerosene and coal had been offered to ease pressure on LPG demand.
The Ministry of Coal said that it had already issued order to Coal India and Singareni Coallieries to allot higher quantities to States for distributing coal to small, medium and other consumers. It said that the states had been advised to facilitate PNG connections for both domestic and commercial consumers. The ministry said that people were advised to rely on official sources and avoid rumours.
It said that consumers were requested to avoid panic bookings, use digital booking platforms, and avoid visiting LPG distributors.
It said that people were encouraged to use alternate fuels like PNG and electric or induction cooktops and to conserve energy.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways shared an update on the current maritime situation in the Persian Gulf, along with measures being taken to ensure the safety and security of Indian vessels and crew.
It said that all Indian seafarers in the region were safe and no shipping incident involving Indian-flagged vessels had been reported in the past 24 hours.
The ministry said that there had been no change in vessel deployment over the past 48 hours, with 22 Indian-flagged vessels and around 600 Indian seafarers currently in the western Persian Gulf region.
It said that 11 seafarers had signed off and were being repatriated as per standard procedures.
The ministry said that the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) continues to closely monitor the situation in coordination with ship owners, RPSL agencies, and Indian Missions.
It said that the DG Shipping Control Room remains operational 24×7 and had handled 3730 calls and 7058 emails since activation, including 60 calls and 129 emails in the past 24 hours and 180 calls and 310 emails over the last 48 hours.
The ministry said that DG Shipping had facilitated the safe repatriation of more than 547 Indian seafarers so far, including 13 in the past 24 hours and 34 over the last 48 hours.
It said that India’s maritime sector continues to operate smoothly with no congestion reported across ports, as confirmed by State Maritime Boards including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Keralam, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry.
The ministry said that ports were closely monitoring vessel movements and cargo operations, with additional capacity already created at key ports like Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), V O Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA), Visakhapatnam Port, Mundra, Deendayal Port Authority, and New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA).
It said that additional storage and handling capacity had been created, including around 40,000 sq m backup storage at Chennai Port Authority and capacity for about 2500 Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEUs) at Cochin Port Authority to manage cargo flow and reduce congestion.
The ministry said that it continues to monitor shipping movements, port operations, safety of seafarers, and continuity of maritime trade in view of the evolving situation in West Asia.
It said that updates on recent developments in the region, including ongoing assistance and outreach being extended through Indian Missions, were shared during the briefing.
It said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been speaking to world leaders on the ongoing conflict in the West Asia region.
The ministry said that on Saturday, he spoke with President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian and conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings.
It said that PM Modi expressed hope that this festive season brings peace, stability, and prosperity to West Asia.
The ministry said that he condemned the attacks on critical infrastructure in the region, which threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains.
It said that PM Modi reiterated the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring that shipping lanes remain open and secure.
The ministry said that he appreciated Iran’s continued support for the safety and security of Indian nationals in Iran.
The Ministry of External Affairs said that it continues to closely monitor developments in West Asia and the Gulf region, with the safety, security, and welfare of the Indian community remaining the highest priority.
It said that a dedicated MEA control room remains operational, with continuous coordination with state governments and Union Territories.
The ministry said that Indian Missions and Posts across the region were functioning round the clock, maintaining helplines, engaging with the wide array of Indian community organisations, and issuing updated advisories.
It said that Indian Missions remain in close contact with host governments and continue to assist seafarers, students, stranded Indian nationals, and short-term visitors with visa facilitation, consular services, and logistical support.
The ministry said that since February 28, around 3.75 lakh passengers had returned from the region to India, with overall flight operations continuing to improve.
It said that in the UAE, limited non-scheduled flights continue, with around 95 flights expected to India on Monday.
The ministry said that flights continue to operate from Saudi Arabia and Oman to India.
It said that Qatar airspace remains partially open, with Qatar Airways expected to operate around 8 to 10 non-scheduled flights to India on Monday.
The ministry said that Kuwait and Bahrain airspaces remain closed.
It said that Jazeera Airways of Kuwait was operating flights to various destinations in India from the Al Qaisumah Airport (AQI) in Saudi Arabia.
The ministry said that the Gulf Air of Bahrain also continues to operate special non-scheduled commercial flights from Dammam Airport of Saudi Arabia to India.
It said that transit of Indian nationals continues to be facilitated via Saudi Arabia for those in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq.
The ministry said that Indian nationals in Iran continue to be assisted for travel to India via Armenia and Azerbaijan, with 1031 Indians including 707 students and 324 Indian citizens having crossed over so far.
It said that Indian students in Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz had been relocated to safer locations within Iran.
The ministry said that Indian nationals in Israel were being facilitated to travel to India via Jordan.
