The government on Saturday reiterated that there is no shortage of petrol and diesel in the country despite the ongoing war situation, urging citizens not to panic. Officials, however, acknowledged that the supply of LPG cylinders remains under pressure, though authorities expect the situation to stabilise soon.
According to the government, two LPG tanker ships carrying 92,700 tonnes of LPG are scheduled to reach India on March 16 and 17. The vessels Shivalik and Nanda Devi have already crossed the Strait of Hormuz and are expected to dock at Mundra and Kandla ports. In addition, six LPG vessels, one LNG vessel, and four crude oil ships are currently in the Persian Gulf and are awaiting clearance to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
The government said top leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, is in continuous contact with counterparts in Iran, Israel and the United States to safeguard India’s energy security.
India is also coordinating with Gulf nations and several other countries for the procurement of oil and gas.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said the supply of commercial LPG cylinders has resumed in 29 states and union territories, with state governments tasked with overseeing distribution. Domestic LPG production has been increased by 30 per cent to ease the supply situation.
Officials noted that around 60 per cent of India’s LPG demand is met through imports. The government has again urged consumers to shift from LPG cylinders to PNG (piped natural gas) wherever possible. Currently, India has about 330 million LPG consumers, and around 6 million households can immediately switch to PNG.
To support the transition, GAIL has been directed to assist consumers. Petroleum and gas companies have also been instructed to spread awareness through social media and other platforms to prevent panic and misinformation.
Authorities have intensified enforcement against black marketing of LPG cylinders.
- Raids have been conducted at more than 1,400 locations across several states, including Maharashtra, Goa, Bihar, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh.
- Cases have been registered against individuals involved in illegal activities.
- Surprise inspections were conducted at 1,300 locations.
- All states have been instructed to form district-level committees to monitor LPG supply and distribution.
At an inter-ministerial press conference on the war situation, the government also clarified that there is no shortage of fertilisers in the country, with sufficient stocks available for the upcoming Kharif season. Officials said speculation about a fertiliser crisis had arisen due to India’s dependence on imports.
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Current fertiliser stock levels:
- Urea: 62 lakh tonnes (10 lakh tonnes more than the same period last year)
- DAP (Diammonium Phosphate): 2.5 million tonnes (almost double last year’s level)
- NPK: 56 lakh tonnes, compared to 31 lakh tonnes during the same period last year
Additional fertiliser measures:
- A global tender for urea has been issued.
- Orders have been placed for 13.5 lakh tonnes of urea.
- 90 per cent of these shipments are expected to arrive by the end of March.
- Fertiliser companies have been allowed to purchase gas for production.
- The government said urea stocks are sufficient for the Kharif season beginning May 15.
- Fertiliser sales are being monitored across 652 districts nationwide.
Officials said the current situation is unusual due to panic booking by consumers.
- On normal days, domestic LPG bookings average 5-5.5 million per day.
- Bookings have now risen to 8.8 million per day.
Consumers have been urged to avoid panic booking and to use online booking systems whenever possible.
- LPG cylinders can be booked every 25 days in urban areas.
- In rural areas, booking is allowed every 45 days.
Domestic consumers have also been advised not to crowd around LPG dealers while collecting cylinders.
To reduce pressure on LPG supply, commercial use of biomass has been permitted in the Delhi-NCR region for one month. Officials said domestic LPG production has reached its highest level, and the supply situation is expected to return to normal within seven to ten days.
The government also confirmed that all Indian sailors in the Persian Gulf are safe, and 253 seafarers have already been repatriated. Ports across the country have been directed to ensure adequate facilities for ships carrying cargo.